Biology Careers
There is a diversity of jobs/professions which typically require, or at least prefer people with biology degrees. Following is a list of some of these possibilities.
Medical and Medical-Related
- Physicians (many subspecialties), Physician’s Assistant (P.A.)
- Nursing
- Anesthesiologist
- Lab Technician
- Medical Research in a variety of areas (usually associated with large hospitals or universities)
- Physical & Speech Therapy
- Pharmacists
- Dentist, Dental Assistant/Technician
- Optometrist
- Ophthalmologist
- Veterinarian, Veterinarian Assistant/Lab Technician
- Audiologist
- Paramedic
- Podiatrist
- Radiologist
- Coroner
- Forensics/Pathology
- Mortician
- Dietitian/Nutritionist
- Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation
- Sports Medicine/Sports Trainer
- Exercise Physiologist
Education
Teaching science/biology from elementary to university-level (both
private and state). Many specialty areas, especially at the university level.
University Research
University research at universities in many specialty areas. This could be a small or a large part of a university position.
Industry
- Research in a variety of biological areas such as biotechnology, genomics, toxicology, biomonitoring, impact accessment, product testing, etc.
- Science Supply Companies: Technicians, Sales Representatives, etc.
- Medical Supply Companies: Technicians, Sales Representatives, etc.
- Pharmaceutical Companies: Researchers, Technicians, Sales Representatives, etc.
- Food Science (Industry): Nutritionist (human or animal), food testing, research in food genetics & biotechnology, preservation, packaging, etc.
Government Jobs (City, State, or Federal)
- Agricultural research station positions
- Agricultural extension service positions
- E.P.A. positions: Lab, field, & library research, biomonitoring, administration, ect.
- Forest service positions such as forest rangers, agronomists, soil scientists, horticulturists, game wardens, etc.
- Department of the Interior positions
- Wildlife biologist/ecologists positions
- Fisheries biologists
- Disease Control Agency positions (Center for Disease Control)
- Food and Drug inspection positions
- Health & Safety inspections positions
- Sanitation engineers
- Some museum positions (from research to curators)
- Some Zoo, Aquarium, & Arboretum positions
- Customs inspectors of live material, food, and other materials which could be biologically contaminated or illegal
Nursing Work
Running a nursery, horticulture, landscaping, plant breeding, etc.
Science Writing
Textbooks, magazine articles, essays, popular books, etc.
Nature Photography
Used in books, articles, calendars, posters, etc.
Science Illustration
Drawings/paintings for science-related publications
Science Librarian
Beekeeping
Florist
Exterminator
Exterminator of pest species, or research in the pest-control industry
** This cannot be considered to be a complete list of biologically-related areas. You might also look at a list of biology subdivisions (there are a large number of them) to aid in narrowing down you interest and goals in biology.
Updated: Wednesday, January 5, 2011