If you have recently graduated with a biology degree, you might be wondering what’s next. The field of biology is massive and there are endless directions that you could go.
Understanding more about the different options that are available to you will help you decide which path to take. You should consider your interests and expertise so that you can find the perfect area of biology to pursue.
Biology courses provide you with the opportunity to enter a range of specialties, each of which is unique and intriguing in its own right. To help you decide which subcategory of biology is best for you, let’s run through some of the different jobs that are available to biology graduates.
Academic Researcher
As an academic researcher, you will apply your biology knowledge to perform in-depth research in a specific area of the field.
Your research may be used to discover more about the way the cells work, how the immune system functions, or how cancer develops. At the end of this research, you might publish papers for scientific journals or books to share your findings.
You will need to be great at collaboration, communication, and data analysis. As a researcher, you will be working with a team of other scientists to collect and analyze large sets of data. You’ll also need to excel in writing if you plan to publish your findings.
Biological Technician
If you enjoyed the practical sessions in your biology degree and you like to get stuck into experiments, a career as a biological technician will be perfect for you.
Bio technicians work in laboratories to collect and prepare samples of cells, tissues, and organisms. You will use a range of biological equipment to study how these samples over time.
You can work in a range of different settings as a biology technician, including agricultural, industrials, environmental, and medical areas.
Lecturer
For those of you who love teaching others about biology, you may wish to become a higher education lecturer. You will work at universities or other educational facilities to host lectures, tutorials, and seminars for biology students.
Having great communication and organization skills is vital to this role. Most lecturers also perform research and publish their own papers alongside their teaching sessions.
Microbiologist
Studying microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa is central to the role of a microbiologist.
As a microbiologist, you will work in a lab the majority of the time. You will be looking down microscopes to visualize these tiny organisms and using your findings to improve healthcare, agriculture, or the environment.
You may also be able to get involved in clinical trials and the development of different products, such as supplements and antimicrobial medications.
Teacher
As a biology graduate, you can work in secondary schools or colleges to teach science.
Your role will involve creating lesson plans and delivering these lessons to your students to inspire their interest in the subject. Don’t forget you’ll also need to assign and grade homework, and mark examinations.