When you think of careers in biology, pre-med or veterinary science might come to mind. Yet paths for biology majors are far more diversified and organic than you may realize.
Let’s take a look.
Agriculture
From feeding the world to beautifying our environment, the field of agriculture requires experts in biology. Career paths range from developing hearty hybrids for healthier cuisine to the study of pests destructive to our farms and management of agricultural firms.
Conservation
Imagine yourself as an environmental scientist or consultant doing just that. Experts in biology are in high demand with careers ranging from coastal preservation and marine biology to stewardship of ecosystems found in forests and prairies.
Forensics
If you like solving mysteries, a career in forensics might be just right for you. Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) meets entomology (the study of insects) in this important field, and a degree in biology from UWG can help get you there.
Some of the greatest minds in history have just as much talent for art as they do in science. Instead of choosing between the two, consider combining them with a career in biological illustration. A dual major or major/minor in art and biology can help you achieve your dreams as both an artist and a scientist.
Attorney-Patent Law / Environmental Law
For those pursuing a degree in law, the addition of a biology degree offers an array of lucrative career paths. From patenting of hardier, more nourishing crop strains and ornamental flora that embellish our surroundings to understanding the laws that help protect our delicate ecosystems, biology offers much for those seeking a degree in law.
Politics and Policy Development
Public policy touches many aspects of our lives, and the same goes for careers in biology. From regulating the foods we eat to balancing preservation with commercial growth, experts in biology are needed to shape the policies that affect our health and our environment.
Guide or Naturalist
If your ideal weekend is strapping on boots and a backpack, a degree in biology could turn your hobby into a career. Nature guides and naturalists are needed for state and national preserves, zoological parks, and botanical gardens in both the public and private sectors.
Fishery / Wildlife Biologist
We often associate a biology degree with a career in veterinary science, but a biologist can have a major impact on animal health and well-being beyond the family pet. Fisheries, ranchers, and state and federal reserves all need experts to monitor animals to keep them healthy and strong. You just might be the biologist who is needed!
Environmental Health Inspector
A healthy, nurturing environment is vital to personal success. Plants and animals need healthy environments to thrive, too, and biologists can help. Whether it’s limiting the impact of an invasive species or reinvigorating our forests through controlled burns, environmental health inspectors are required for making informed assessments.
Museum Curator
Becoming a teacher is just one way to share your knowledge of biology. But if the classroom isn’t for you, consider becoming a museum curator. This in-demand field requires a wide range of skills, from administrative planning for best community impact to research, acquisition, preservation and more.
The 10 careers listed above are just a small sample of the range of highly sought-after occupations awaiting those with a degree in biology.
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Originally written for University of West Georgia > College of Science and Mathematics > Department of Biology
