As a biology major, you have a lot of options when you graduate. An interest in science and living things doesn’t mean that you necessarily have to work in a lab – and you might be surprised at the variety of options for biology majors today. Genetic Engineering News has published a list of the occupations they predict will be in the most demand over the next decade, and the forecasts are, unsurprisingly, sunny.
You can find out more about being a biology major here, and below you can find out more about the three top jobs for those that graduate with a biology degree. This will give you a taste of what your days in the lab or the office might look like.
#1 Epidemiologist
On the top of their list stands epidemiologists who are expected to see an increase in demand of more than 6.2 %. This is good news if you’ve recently graduated, have an eye for detail, and enjoy examining cues. Your days will be like that of a detective, just that instead of solving crime mysteries, you’ll be determining the likelihood and occurrence of diseases.
They are expected to be historians as well as able to predict the future; by pointing to previous events leading up to current circumstances, the epidemiologist attempts to predict how diseases may or may not affect the unaffected.
Needless to say, it’s an important job, and you’ll be a health ambassador as much as a scientist by trying to reduce the risk of negative health outcomes in society through community education, research, and policies.
#2 Genetic Counselor
Those who have an interest in genetics and enjoy working with people rather than lab equipment will fall right into the shoes of a genetic counselor. They provide support, expert knowledge, and hope to those affected by a genetic disease or even the ones who are worried about passing a disease on to their unborn offspring.
As the information about gene therapy and methods of gene transfer increases daily, you need to possess excellent communication skills to make sense of the information and pass it on to your clients. Besides from caregivers and patients, you’ll also be working alongside medical professionals and geneticists to guide them towards the right treatments.
It’s a balancing act of using your expert knowledge to guide the decisions rather than making them, providing support and hope to those who need it and staying up to date on the continuous flow of new information.
#3 Microbiologist
This is a good choice if you’d like to stay somewhere in between that of a scientific researcher and applying the research. Microbiologists study bacteria, fungi, algae, and viruses to help us understand how these organisms live, grow and interact with their environment.
As microorganisms impact every corner of the world, you’ll be able to find answers to issues that are relevant to both the US and the developing world.
There you have it; the three top options for biology majors that can build a great foundation for your career. Every different path has a lot of alternatives for furthering your knowledge or education – and in a field like this, you know you won’t be bored.
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