Open up your career possibilities with a degree in biology
There are many different things that biology majors do after graduation. Understanding your interests and your strengths can help direct your goals. But it is also important to gain experiences. Shadow and interview a variety of professionals, volunteer, participate in internships and research. Only when you learn about the world of work, will you start to see your place in it. Only when you put yourself into various environments will you be able to feel when something is right. Your major is not going to give you a definitive answer, but it will help you to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to design your future.
Do you consider yourself to be creative, expressive, or imaginative? Do you like to talk about science and help others understand science? Can you see yourself creating a museum exhibit or planning a fundraising event? Are you artistically inclined, have good drawing or graphic design skills?
Many scientists rely on public funding, so being able to share information with the larger community is necessary to furthering scientific endeavors. Zoos, museums, organizations and foundations support scientific research and disseminate scientific information. Science is often represented in movies, television and print.
- Graduate education:
- While many career paths may not require additional education in this career community, some students may consider graduate study in business, non-profit work, illustration, or biology. Practical experience is an essential component to honing skills in the creative professions.
- Resources:
Jobs in this community
- Biology illustrator
- Nature or science documentarian
- Foundation program director
- Medical illustrator
- Museum curator
- Nature photographer
- Science fiction writer
Other academic credentials
- Minors
- Art
- Theatre arts
- Cinema
- Communication studies
- Rhetoric and persuasion
- Certificates
- Event planning
- Fundraising and philanthropy communication
- Media entrepreneurialism
- Museum studies
- Writing
- Other
- Latham Science Engagement Initiative
- Teaching internship (BIOL:4898)
Extracurricular options
- DNA interest group
- Biology Student Ambassadors
- Internships with a museum or other organization
Do you consider yourself problem-focused, thoughtful, or eco-friendly? Are you interested in learning about human/environment interactions or conservation efforts that support sustainable living? Does it sound fun to conduct field work outside? Could you see yourself analyzing environmental data through geologic mapping, helping to prevent environmental hazard disasters, or advocating for “going green?”
Careers in this community focus on studying the physical aspects of the earth and applying knowledge to educate and inform on how to protect the environment and human/animal health
- Graduate education:
- Some careers may require advanced study in the biological and environmental sciences. There are many entry level jobs with a bachelor's degree in this career community.
- Resources:
Jobs in this community
- Animal behaviorist
- Ecologist
- Laboratory and field operations technician
- Marine biologist
- Marine ecologist
- Natural resources manager
- Natural resources technician
- Water quality technician
- Wildlife biologist
Other academic credentials
- Minors
- Environmental policy and planning
- Environmental sciences
- Geographic information systems
- Certificates
- Sustainability
- Geographic information systems
- Nonprofit management
- Risk management and insurance
- Other
- Lakeside Laboratory Summer Program
- College of Public Health Undergrad-Grad Program in Occupational and Environmental Health (BA/MPH)
Extracurricular options
- Research
- Internship or volunteering with nature center, environmental organization, or other sustainability program
Do you consider yourself to be nurturing, curious, or solution-focused? Are you interested in learning about how the body works and how to keep it healthy? Does it sound like fun to work at a hospital, clinic, or laboratory? Could you see yourself working with specific populations, like children, senior citizens, or animals?
Some careers will involve working closely with people on a daily basis, others may involve more laboratory work or be more technical in nature.
- Graduate education:
- Many health-related professions require certification and/or graduate study. A biological sciences major is a good foundation for those career paths.
- Resources:
Jobs in this community
- Anesthesiologist assistant
- Chiropractor
- Cytotechnologist
- Dentist
- Doctor of medicine
- Doctor of optometry
- Doctor of osteopathic medicine
- Doctor of podiatric medicine
- Doctor of veterinary medicine
- Epidemiologist
- Genetic counselor
- Medical librarian
- Occupational therapist
- Optometrist
- Orthoptist
- Orthotist/prosthetist
- Pathologist
- Perfusionist
- Pharmacist
- Physical therapist
- Physician assistant
Other academic credentials
- Minors
- Aging studies
- Communication sciences and disorders
- Gender, health, and health care equity
- Global health studies
- Health and human condition
- Human relations
- Global health studies
- Certificates
- Clinical and translational science
- Aging and longevity studies
- Disability studies
- Public health
Extracurricular options
- Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (undergraduate information seminars)
- Research
- Shadow health care professionals
- Student organizations that specialize in pre-professional planning (i.e. Medicus, Pre-Vet Club)
- Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP)
- Volunteer or work in a health care setting
Do you consider yourself to have strong communication, management, or numerical skills? Are you interested in learning about marketing a product or conducting a financial analysis? Does it sound like fun to try to persuade or influence those around you? Could you see yourself working in a corporate environment collaborating with others to accomplish company goals?
The number of industry jobs for life science majors continues to expand. The range of biology related industries is quite extensive and includes bioprocessing, biotechnology, renewable energies, agribusiness, medical manufacturing, pharmaceutical and food industries.
- Graduate education:
- There are advancement opportunities in the business industry that may not require additional formal education, but some may gravitate toward an MBA or Master’s degree in Biotechnology.
- Resources:
Jobs in this community
- Biological technicians
- Process development associate
- Project manager
- Pharmaceutical sales representative
- Quality assurance
- Wholesale and manufacturing
Other academic credentials
- Minors
- Business administration
- Economics
- Informatics
- Statistics
- Certificates
- Entrepreneurial management
- International business
- Leadership studies
- Drug delivery
- Drug discovery
- Other
Extracurricular options
- Biology Student Ambassadors
- DNA Interest Group
- Internship or part-time work in a biotechnology or biological industry company
- Research or work in a lab
- University leadership programs
Do you consider yourself to be a good writer, resilient, or optimistic? Are you interested in learning about developing public policy or addressing issues through governmental initiatives? Do you like to solve mysteries? Does it sound like fun to argue legal issues or lead a civic improvement project? Could you see yourself working for a city, state, or federal agency or non-profit organization?
Careers in this community focus on public affairs, politics, the legal system, and serving the community. Avenues in law with a biology background include patent law, evironmental law and healthcare law.
- Graduate education:
- Some careers will require a professional or graduate degree, others may require laboratory experience and certification.
- Resources:
Jobs in this community
- DNA analyst
- Forensic pathologist
- Forensic science technician
- Forensic scientist
- Lawyer
- Patent agent
- Patent analyst
- Public health administrator
- Toxicologist
Other academic credentials
- Minors
- Criminology, law and, justice
- Political science
- Philosophy
- College of Public Health Undergrad-Grad Program (BA/MPH)
- Latham Science Engagement Initiative
Extracurricular options
- Biology Student Ambassadors
- DNA Interest Group
- Internship in law or with a forensic lab
- Laboratory research
- University leadership programs
Do you consider yourself inquisitive, analytical, or insightful? Are you interested in learning about scientific issues or applying technical concepts to solve problems? Does it sound like fun to perform lab experiments or utilize a microscope to examine cells? Could you see yourself investigating scientific principles by collecting and analyzing data?
You can work in a laboratory setting with a bachelor's degree. Certification or advanced degrees can lead to additional job opportunities. You will need a PhD to run your own lab.
- Graduate education:
- Some students may be able to enter a PhD program directly after finishing their bachelor's degree, others may need to complete a master's degree first. You do not have to do the same undergraduate degree as a PhD program. For instance, you can earn a bachelor's degree in biology and then go on to a PhD in biochemistry, neuroscience, or anthropology.
- Resources:
Jobs in this community
- Medical and clinical laboratory technologist
- Natural science manager
- Research assistant
- Research associate
- Research scientist
Other academic credentials
- Minors
- Geographic information science
- Informatics
- Statistics
- Certificates
- Clinical and translational science
- Drug discovery
- Drug delivery
- Global health studies
Extracurricular options
- Research
- Lakeside Laboratory or other field school
- ICRU Student Ambassador Program
- Attend a national or international conference
- Honors research and thesis in biology, biomedical sciences, or neuroscience
- WISE: Women in Science and Engineering
Do you consider yourself to be helpful, patient, or understanding? Are you interested in learning about best methods to reach students or setting curriculum standards? Does is sound like fun to explain ideas and concepts to a classroom of learners? Could you see yourself teaching others to assist with understanding and comprehension?
There are different levels and forms of science education, depending on what level of science you want to teach and with what age group you want to work. There are secondary school certification options through UI’s College of Education. The combined BA/MAT (4+1) science education program provides a seamless process for students to earn the bachelor’s in biology and master’s in education in five years. Education at the collegiate level can be in the form of full-time instructor or combining research and teaching. Some students may be interested in educating the general public about our natural world or human biology. Career paths exist within federal and state agencies, museums, and hospitals.
- Graduate education:
- You can earn teaching certification with an undergraduate degree, but most teachers must eventually earn a master’s degree. Most college instructors have a PhD, though some may have only a master’s degree. To become a tenured faculty member, one must not only earn a PhD but may also need to do one or more post-doctoral research and publish research. Most science museums will want a science background and may prefer graduate study in a field of science or public relations.
- Resources:
Jobs in this community
- College instructor
- Health educator
- Conservation instructor
- Museum, aquarium, or zoo program coordinator
- Science librarian
- Secondary school teacher
- Tenured faculty
Other academic credentials
- Minors
- Educational psychology
- Certificates
- Museum studies
- Museum studies
- Other
- Education 4+1 program (BA/MAT)
- College of Public Health Undergrad-Grad Program in Community and Behavioral Health (BA/MPH)
- Latham Science Engagement Initiative
- Lakeside Laboratory
- Teaching internship (BIOL:4897)
Extracurricular options
- Intern or volunteer with a zoo, museum, aquarium or natural park
- Volunteer in the department with Hawkeyes at the Microscope or other outreach programs
Do you consider yourself to be a systematic, precise, or efficient person? Are you interested in learning about preparing statistical charts, writing code, or analyzing data? Does it sound like fun to test computer programs and software applications? Could you see yourself working in a constantly changing high-tech environment?
Careers in this community focus on developing computer systems, managing computer networks, and interpreting and presenting data to address industry problems.
- Graduate education:
- There are master's and PhD programs in biostatistics and bioinformatics. Computer-based skills are always evolving so experience is sometimes more important than graduate degrees.
- Resources:
Jobs in this community
- Bioinformatician
- Computational biologist
- Health informatics specialist
- Public policy analyst
Other academic credentials
- Minors
- Informatics
- Statistics
- Computer science
- Certificates
- Big data
- Public health
Extracurricular options
- Research
- Internships
- Part-time work in computer-related field
Additional biology career resources
Want to do research?
Check out our page for summer research experiences for undergraduates to find out what you can do on the University of Iowa campus.
Career resources for UI undergraduate students
The Pomerantz Career Center provides high-quality resources and services to students, alumni, and employers. The site has information designed to help you move through the various stages of the job search process, including the Handshake@UIowa website as well as information on upcoming employer visits, internships, and careers after college.
Meet with a career coach
All undergraduates can meet with a career coach to explore interests, skills, strengths, and values as you plan for after graduation.
Participate in a mock interview
Experience first-hand what an interview might be like by participating in a Mock Interview where you can practice interviewing, ask questions about the interview process, and be critiqued by volunteer employers from surrounding communities.
Attend a career fair
Network with employers and learn more about job and career opportunities in a variety of areas right here on campus.
Write an effective resume
Learn the level of detail needed to get noticed in the applicant pool and by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software, including tips on how to format your resume, effective use of power verbs, a formula for crafting bullet points, and more.
Find or create an internship
We'll guide you through the process of finding an internship, creating your own opportunity, and evaluating internship offers.
Explore majors and careers
Learn more about how your personal attributes impact potential success and satisfaction with different career options and work environments. Or, start by exploring career fields and find majors that align with your interests and skills.