2 answers
Rachel
Student
Grafton, Massachusetts
2
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If I get a degree in Biology, what are the jobs out there for me
1st year college #biology
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2 answers
Raquel Aguirre
Associate Consultant
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Raquel’s Answer
Since this question was originally asked back in 2016, I'll frame this answer for anyone else who might have the same question today.
If you're a first-year college student majoring in Biology, the good news is that the degree opens far more doors than people often realize. I studied Applied Math - Biology and now work in Medtech Consulting, which I love, and that path wasn't obvious to me at the start. Biology gives you a strong foundation in problem-solving, data interpretation, and systems thinking, which translated well across many fields. Traditional paths include research and academia (research assistant, scientist, professor with a PhD), healthcare (medical school, PA, nursing, clinical lab science), and biotech/pharma roles like R&D, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, QA/QC, and manufacturing. With added quantitative or coding skills, biology grads also can move into bioinformatics, biostatistics, and data science.
There are also many non-lab and non-clinical careers where a biology degree is extremely valuable: medtech or life-sciences consulting, product management, healthcare strategy, medical writing, policy, patent law, venture capital, and business development. And just to quickly normalize the uncertainty, my dad studied biology in colleges, decided to go to law school, became a lawyer, then moved into finance, and went through several more career changes after that. His path is a great reminder that your major and first job does not lock you into one career forever. Skills compound, interests evolve, and pivots are normal. So if you're reading this and not 100% sure yet, that's okay! Biology is a flexible launchpad, not a narrow track :)
If you're a first-year college student majoring in Biology, the good news is that the degree opens far more doors than people often realize. I studied Applied Math - Biology and now work in Medtech Consulting, which I love, and that path wasn't obvious to me at the start. Biology gives you a strong foundation in problem-solving, data interpretation, and systems thinking, which translated well across many fields. Traditional paths include research and academia (research assistant, scientist, professor with a PhD), healthcare (medical school, PA, nursing, clinical lab science), and biotech/pharma roles like R&D, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, QA/QC, and manufacturing. With added quantitative or coding skills, biology grads also can move into bioinformatics, biostatistics, and data science.
There are also many non-lab and non-clinical careers where a biology degree is extremely valuable: medtech or life-sciences consulting, product management, healthcare strategy, medical writing, policy, patent law, venture capital, and business development. And just to quickly normalize the uncertainty, my dad studied biology in colleges, decided to go to law school, became a lawyer, then moved into finance, and went through several more career changes after that. His path is a great reminder that your major and first job does not lock you into one career forever. Skills compound, interests evolve, and pivots are normal. So if you're reading this and not 100% sure yet, that's okay! Biology is a flexible launchpad, not a narrow track :)
Shazia Khan, PhD
Scientist / Scientific Editor
11
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Shazia’s Answer
Hi!
Lots of options are open , depending on what you specialize in!
You could be a scientist is academia heading your own lab and / or teaching, working in the science industry, managing intellectual property, working in science publication to name a few!
yes its really depend upon the interest
Mohammed Omer