Careers in Biology

When I meet incoming Biology majors either in summer orientation or in General Biology, I always say that they are extremely fortunate to be entering such an exciting field. With modern advances in technology, a career in the biological sciences is ever changing and exciting in its pursuit of life's enigmas. Most students are not aware of the diverse opportunities that exist for a person who is interested in the biological sciences. The health professions seem to be the first choice for many students who are interested in becoming a physician, physician's assistant, nurse, veterinarian, dentist, etc. There are also those students interested in a career in basic research through graduate school training to work in areas related to human disease, the environment, or animal behavior to name just a few. In addition to these usual ideas of biology jobs, students can also become a scientific writer, teach elementary or secondary education, work in forensics, work for political change on scientific issues, or enter into drug development or sales and marketing in the pharmaceutical industry. The point is that there is a wide spectrum of choices so much so that it is best for a student to do further research on the subject after reading this article.

The most important thing to realize about a career in biology is to experience that career first hand while in college. One question you should ask at every school you visit is about their opportunities for internships and research. The best way to learn biology is to DO biology. The best way to learn about a career in biology is to try that career during the school year or over the summer months. Most schools provide a list of internships available for students through a career services office. Also, most science departments have listings of contacts for interested students who would like to obtain experience. Internships are valuable opportunities for you to determine if you would enjoy being in that profession. If you like the experience, you have a pretty good idea that you are making the right choice. If you don't like the experience, you can always try an internship in a different area.

In addition to professional internships, you should think about working in a scientific laboratory either on campus or off campus in an undergraduate research experience (REU). This would enable you to determine if a career in research or further education in graduate school is something you should consider. Also, any employer in the sciences looks for candidates who have research experience since it is a valuable indicator of future success. Oftentimes, post-graduate schools and employers place an emphasis on research endeavors and letters of recommendation from research advisors in their decision making process. You may even find that a career in research is not for you, which is also something valuable to learn while you are in school.

An important point to make about a career in biology is that one does not have to major in biology to enter into it or be successful at it. Many important findings in the field have been discovered by chemists, physicists, or computer scientists. The lines between modern fields of science are not distinct so you can major in diverse fields such as political science, business, psychology, or other natural sciences and still pursue a science career with the proper experience and classes. Students with a varied background in courses and experience can find themselves to be very strong candidates for post-graduate schools or the workforce.

Another aspect in finding the right career choice for you is to network and make contacts in that field. You should talk to members of your family, guidance counselors, or teachers during your high school years. Most colleges have health profession advisors who can help you to think about a career in medicine. You can also talk to your academic advisor or favorite professor about what opportunities exist that would interest you. Take advantage of their expertise and extensive contacts in their field to obtain more information about career choices. It is also very important find out what classes and experiences are necessary to be competitive in the job market or school admission. This can help in your determination of courses to take during your four years of college.

To return to the subject of this article, there are too many career choices to adequately discuss all of them. I urge you to investigate science careers by doing further research on-line. You can search for specific careers or post-graduate schools to learn more information about their programs and requirements. You can also learn about biotech and pharmaceutical careers by searching for companies in your area. There are many web sites such as Bio.com or Biospace.com that have an extensive listing of companies categorized by geographic region. Many places have contact information available so take advantage and ask for more information or possible visits to learn first hand about a particular career choice.

The best advice for you in thinking about a career in biology is to get first hand experience in that career. It can open doors of opportunity and put you on the path to success.

Editorial provided by Charles R. Toth, Associate Professor of Biology and Pre-Graduate School Advisor, Providence College.