Did you know that there are many career options when you study Biology? This is one of the major advantages of studying this field. You don’t have to worry about working in a laboratory all of your life.
The options include doing fieldwork, working with various organizations, and even teaching at the university level. However, the type of job that you can secure in this field is highly dependent on your level of education and experience. Some jobs require you to have a doctoral degree before you can start earning a decent amount.
As a result, it can be a highly competitive job market. The downside is that with some of the jobs that you don’t you can be exposed to dangerous equipment and substances. Overall, this is a positive career outlook for you.
To find out more, you should keep on reading.
Biologist
If you have an interest in learning about the impact of environmental issues, understanding the biology of animals and plants, and the various factors around them, this is the best career path for you. You can work across various fields. For instance, you can make a huge contribution to the agricultural sector.
As a biologist, you can find effective ways to improve this sector by increasing the productivity of your crops and livestock.
Pros
One of the main advantages of pursuing a career as a Biologist is that your salary should be pretty high. Your work is needed in various environments. For instance, if you’re a plant biologist in states like Colorado or Washington, your qualification should be in high demand.
The booming marijuana industry requires expertise to study how greenhouses can safely supply medicinal marijuana to pharmaceuticals. Moreover, research suggests that this field should grow by more than 20% in 2022. With this demand, you can even change your niche specialty frequently.
Cons
If you want to have a lucrative career in this industry, you should be prepared to study. The minimum requirement to find a decent entry-level job is to have a 4-year undergraduate degree. But a Master’s degree can improve your chances of reaching specific goals.
You may face a lot of pressure, particularly if you plan on taking the research route. For instance, you need to have a Ph.D. This means that you need an average of 8 additional years to study. Moreover, it can be mentally and physically challenging for you.
Biomedical Engineer
Did you know that you can conduct quantitative research to solve the many biological and medical problems out there? In fact, you can even design sophisticated systems that are essential for developing medical devices. Additionally, when you embark on this career path, you should have a quantitative understanding of various disease processes.
Pros
If you enjoy solving problems and biology, then this is the ideal career path for you. It’s also suitable for you if you prefer to work alone and design projects. Additionally, it’s in the top 25% of the highest-paid careers. You’ll have a very comfortable career.
Cons
If you’re a team player, the countless hours of working alone may not be for you. However, getting into this career is not as easy as you may think. You need to have a Master’s degree accompanied by experience, knowledge, and skills to get into this career.
Medical Laboratory Technician
Did you know that you can have a career that solely focuses on diagnosing and preventing major medical complications? As a medical lab technician, you’ll most likely work behind the scenes. Yet, you’ll serve a very crucial role. Your specialty is performing routine lab tests and analyzing samples to deduce reasonable conclusions about an illness.
With the steady increase in comorbidities, you should have many job opportunities. Additionally, baby boomers are getting older. This means that their medical conditions require innovative solutions and improved solutions to ensure adequate care.
Pros
The most obvious advantage is job security in this field. Secondly, the hours that you work can help you make extra money. The work that you do is important for doctors to save the lives of many patients. Essentially, you’re a lifesaver even though you’re behind the scenes.
Cons
You can be limited with your career advancement. To improve your career prospects, you should add more years to get training for becoming a qualified Technologist. However, this can help you to get promoted to become a lab manager.
Lastly, the most important disadvantage to highlight is that your work can be very difficult. In some cases, you may have to deal with an illness that hasn’t been discovered yet.
Research Scientist
If you feel like being a medical lab technician is a bit too demanding for you, you should consider a career as a Research Scientist. This is when you take the controlled laboratory investigations and analyze them. Your job should require you to conduct various experiments and trials.
The great news is that you can work for different organizations; from the government to private companies. However, before you can enter the graduate program, you’re required to have a 4-year undergraduate degree. Your Master’s degree can take an additional 3 years to complete.
And if you prefer to specialize, you should add another 4 or 5 years to study towards your Ph.D. degree.
Pros
As previously stated, you can work in various industries. This increases your chances of being paid handsomely. In fact, your job improves the public understanding of certain scientific concepts. The job growth is still above average, with an estimated growth of 8% by the year 2024.
Cons
Every career has its disadvantages. Even though you can earn a high income, it’s still vastly dependent on the field that you specialize in. Most importantly, your career development relies on whether you have a Master’s or Ph.D. degree. This means that you should have a number of years of industry experience under your belt.
Marine Biologist
If you’re someone who has a deeper connection with the ocean and sea creatures, then this is a suitable position for you. As a marine biologist, your job is to investigate how marine species behave. In fact, you’re responsible for understanding their physiological processes, and any environmental conditions that can affect them.
This includes covering the impact that human activity can have on marine life. With a bachelor’s or Master’s degree, you can focus your career progression on any of these job titles.
- Aquatic biologist
- Biological technician
- Conservation biologist
- Fisheries biologist
- Fish and wildlife biologist
- Wildlife biologist
- Zoologist
Pros
There are many interesting places that your work can take you to. This means that you should meet a lot of people from many diverse places in the world. If you’re an experienced worker, you’re likely to get paid well. In addition, you get to use specialized line equipment during your studies as you make a positive impact on the environment.
Cons
Natural disasters like hurricanes and typhoons are often found at sea. You can get hurt while you’re out at sea conducting your research. Sometimes, you’re exposed to highly dangerous weather conditions of extreme cold and hot weather.
This can create physical and mental strain on your body. Moreover, when you travel, you’re separated from your loved ones for undetermined periods.
Microbiologist
Have you ever wondered about the growing phenomenon of bacteria and fungi? As a Microbiologist, you have the opportunity to investigate how the structure of these microscopic organisms develops. Essentially, your findings can be used to help create new medicines, pharmaceutical products, and even vaccines.
You should be a detail-oriented person who applies logical thinking if you want to succeed in this career. The study of these microorganisms can require you to have the perseverance to process your findings. Additionally, you should be prepared to study a lot if you wish to find better-paying jobs within the industry.
The minimum educational requirement is a 4-year bachelor’s degree if you wish to secure an entry-level job.
Pros
You have a variety of disciplines that you can specialize in. Your job allows you to work in various institutions. For example, you can choose to teach or to become a researcher.
Cons
The microorganisms that you study can be potentially harmful. Repetitive exposure can affect your health in many ways. If you wish to advance in your career, you should expect to study for up to 10 years to obtain your Ph.D. The amount of money that you pay to cover your tuition and expenses can offset the benefits of your salary.
Conservationist
This is a broader view of being a biologist. As a conversationist, your job is to study how the Earth’s biodiversity can be conserved. The aim of your job is to figure out how you can effectively protect different species. This includes studying their ecosystems and habitats. Your role is to advocate for your findings you find issues that should be addressed.
You have to complete four years of your undergraduate degree before you can pursue another 3 to 4 years of your doctoral degree. Thereafter, you can specialize in different areas such as wetland conservation, soil conservation, and range management.
Pros
Not only do you get to save wildlife and other species, but you have the potential to earn a salary that’s above the national average. If you choose to work with the government full time, you have a lot of employment benefits that you can enjoy.
Cons
If you’re an office type of person, field travel can get to you. In addition, there are irregular hours that fieldwork comes with. With some employment contracts, you can be limited by the budget that the government has. Moreover, to be selected for some of the high-earning positions, you should have a doctoral degree.
Geneticist
If you want to know more about how inheritance traits are determined at a molecular level, this career option should be a great consideration for you. You should also learn about inheritance at organism and population levels. Lastly, your career is very significant.
You should evaluate and find effective solutions for patients that suffer from genetic disorders. However, becoming one is very hard. You should have a doctoral degree to earn a decent salary, yet job growth predictions are very low.
Pros
If you’re looking for a prestigious career in biology, then this should benefit you. The salary is estimated to be part of the top 25% in the country.
Cons
You need to have extensive knowledge and expertise to get your foot in the door in this career. However, the demand for geneticists is not growing as steadily as it should. Yet, the hours that you work are very demanding. You can expect to work for more than 40 hours a week.
Biochemist
You’d be surprised to find that there are people that study the chemical processes of the substances that you need to perform various biological processes. Yes, you can have a lucrative career studying the many chemical processes that are associated with breathing and other processes that are involved in your growth. If you’re a biochemist, you use various specialized equipment such as lasers and microscopes to do experiments.
When you’re starting out, your career is more research-based. As a result, you work in a team setting for conclusive results. In addition to studying biology, you should have a high aptitude for math and science. An undergraduate degree can get you an entry-level job, but to become a qualified biochemist, you need to have a Ph.D. degree.
Pros
The growth rate in this field is estimated to be higher than average. By 2022, it’s estimated to be up by more than 19%. The great news is that even the average wage is competitive for a job with regular office hours. When you have enough experience, you can lead your research projects.
Cons
It can take you a while to become qualified. It generally takes more than 6 years in graduate school. Your work can expose you to dangerous equipment. The competitive average pay means that there’s strong competition for permanent placement. If you don’t live in the Northeast or California, you may need to relocate to get your dream job.
Frequently Asked Questions about Biology
What is the best field in Biology?
There are many fields in Biology that you should consider. It depends on what interests you. For instance, a health communication specialist is one of the top high-paying jobs in this field.
Is Biology a hard major?
Biology can be difficult. There are many unfamiliar concepts that you should study in a short period.