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What are the different careers you can pursue with a biology major?

I am a junior in highschool planning to take biology and anatomy and physiology next year. What work fields can I get into with a major such as biology?

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margaret’s Answer

Ibrahim’s answer is a really succinct explanation that describes general careers in biology. I have experience as a molecular microbiologist in antibiotic research and worked at a couple of large pharmaceutical companies. In my job there was both research being done to scale up products using molecular biology, to study viruses and other elements such as transposons to use as vectors to introduce foreign DNA into bacteria and to identify the genes in biosynthetic pathways. I worked with Streptomyces species. These organism produce a wide variety of antibiotics which they use to fend off other bacteria for more effective survival. I cloned the biosynthetic pathway for daptomycin from S. roseosporus. Daptomycin is now an intravenous drug used as an alternative to vancomycin, to treat methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and a variety of targets (endocarditis, epidural abscess, and others) which is a terrible infection often found in the hospital environment.

Other research being done in molecular biology at Eli Lilly included Research on Alzheimer's disease which involves working with laboratory rats, which leads to another research path: combining a veterinary technology degree with a biology degree could allow one to work on experiments with animals. Research was also done studying inflammatory pathways in order to understand inflammatory disease states in acute and chronic conditions. In a research setting like the one that I was in, many disciplines (chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, veterinary science, pharmacology, tissue culture maintenance, engineering, and others) come together to solve problems in order to eventually make products that are used in healthcare and other applications.

My daughter has gotten a biology degree and has pursued an interest in entomology, the scientific study of insects, focusing on their taxonomy, ecology, behavior, and impact on ecosystems, agriculture, and human health. She is working in nature gathering data from field observations for academic studies of environmental consequence.

There are many pathways when studying and working as a biologist. These are both examples of research that can lead to practical application.
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Ibrahim’s Answer

That’s a great question, and it’s smart that you’re thinking about career options early. A biology major can lead to many different paths depending on what interests you most.

Some students use a biology degree as a path into healthcare careers, such as becoming a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, physical therapist, or physician assistant. Others go into research and science fields, working as laboratory researchers, microbiologists, or biotechnologists. There are also careers in environmental science, wildlife biology, public health, and genetics. Some biology graduates even work in science education or science communication.

One helpful step is to start exploring which part of biology interests you the most. For example, if you enjoy learning about the human body, healthcare careers might be a good direction. If you enjoy experiments and discovery, research or biotechnology could be a good fit.

You can also try to gain early exposure by joining science clubs, volunteering in a hospital, or looking for summer research programs. Experiences like these can help you see what you enjoy before choosing a specific path.

Biology is a flexible and exciting field with many possibilities. Keep exploring your interests You’re already on a great path by asking these questions.
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