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
  • Association of Medical Illustrators
  • Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
  • American Alliance of Museums

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
  • Careers in Environmental Policy and Planning
  • Profiles of Marine Biology careers
  • Organization of Biological Field Stations
  • AGCareers: The Leading Online Job Board for Agriculture, Food, and Biotechnology
  • Animal Behavior Society

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
  • Careers in the Medical Laboratory
  • Academic Advising Center Pre-Health Information
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
  • Medical Library Association

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
  • Biotechnology Careers

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
  • Academic Advising Center Pre-Law Information
  • American Public Health Association
  • Crime Scene Investigator EDU
  • Society of Forensic Sciences
  • Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists

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
  • ASCP Board of Certification (BOC)
  • American Society of Human Genetics
  • Iowa Biosciences Academy (IBA)
  • National Science Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Organization of Biological Field Stations
  • State Hygienic Laboratory

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 B.A./M.A.T. (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-Doc 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
  • American Alliance of Museums
  • American Library Association (ALA)
  • Association of Zoos & Aquariums
  • Careers, Internships and Volunteering at the Field Museum
  • Volunteering & Internships at Shed Aquarium

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
  • Bioinformatics Organization
  • Exploring Health Careers: Biostatistics
  • American Public Health Association
  • Iowa Public Health Association