There are so many careers in the biological sciences! Here is a short list of possibilities from the Biology Student Handbook to get you thinking. This page provides some resources for different kinds of careers that a Biology or Biochemistry major might pursue.
General Career Information
- Biology's Careers in Biological Science course (BIOL 290) explores careers, aptitudes, and pathways and is recommended for sophomores.
- North Central College's Center for Career and Professional Development can help you match careers to your talents and work on résumés and other application materials.
- U.S. Dept. of Labor's O*Net Interest Profiler is a simple tool for exploring interests and finding many possible jobs associated with different interest profiles
- The VIA Strengths assessment can help you examine your strengths in key character areas
- U.S. Dept. of Labor's careeronestop page has many resources to help you explore careers, what's needed to get them, the outlook for different jobs, etc.
- How to Write a Clear, Compelling c.v. from Science
Research
Research can be done at universites (emphasis on basic research), in industry (emphasis on applied research), in government agencies, or in other settings. Every possible field of biology has research opportunities!
Directing research usually requires a PhD (did you know that in the life sciences, you don't pay tuition to get a PhD, and you're paid a stipend?). However, there are many opportunities at the BS/BA level as well, working as a technician or research associate.
- Advice from Nobel laureates on How to Build a Scientific Career
- Peterson's Graduate Program Finder
- Tips for how to become a successful researcher
Medicine and Healthcare
See our Pre-Health pages for much more information about health-care careers, professional schools, pre-requisites, major and course planning, etc.
- AMCAS: How to apply to medical school
- All about the MCAT
- PA vs. MD: What's the difference?
Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary school admission 101 from the AVMA
Scientific Communication
Although all scientists are also communicators, some choose to focus their careers on communication. This could mean being a science journalist, writing about science for the general public. Or you might specialize in writing grants or working as an editor for a scientific journal.
- Nature toolkit on How to work in scientific communication