What types of entry-level jobs are typically available to majors in Biology?
What types of internships are typically secured by Biology majors?
What are former Biology majors doing now?
What sort of graduate study have majors in Biology pursued?
How can you learn more about careers that might interest you?
What types of entry-level jobs are typically available to majors in Biology?
The beauty of a liberal arts education is that it challenges students to develop a wide range of universally applicable and life-enriching skills, so your major is less representative of your abilities than it is of your interests. In other words, you can do just about anything with any degree. The following entry-level jobs are typical of those that majors in Biology pursue because jobs like these make use not only of the broad liberal-arts skill set, but also of the interests cultivated in the Biology curriculum.
Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA: Research Assistant
This position involves conducting research as an assistant on a project in the study of the relationship of genetics to the incidence of colorectal cancer. The laboratory technician performs general laboratory tasks, isolation of DNA, genotyping by PCR, Southern hybridization, maintenance of mouse colonies, and micro satellite analysis. (www.Indeed.com)
Merck and Company, Boston, MA: Associate Scientist, Biology
Merck & Co. is a leading research-driven pharmaceutical products company. The Associate Scientist works closely in a team based environment with biologists and biochemists to support the development of novel therapies to treat human cancer. The Associate Scientist will use basic molecular and cellular biology techniques to support target validation and assay development. As a vital contributor to the Oncology team, the Associate Scientist must be comfortable interfacing with other scientific team members and analyzing scientific data. They will have the opportunity to engage in dynamic scientific discussions, presenting data to internal project teams. Thus, the candidate will need to be an excellent communicator and have solid interpersonal skills. (sciencejobs.com)
Aerotek Scientific, Valencia, CA: Contract Administrator
The Contract Administrator supports the team in all steps of the client proposal preparation process. Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: preparing and reviewing proposals that are consistent with company policies and government regulations, converting the clients send-out list into MS Excel spreadsheets for review and management price approval, reviewing and preparing RFPS (Request for Proposal) & RFIS (Request for Information) binders, maintaining client file information and price implementation, preparing fee schedules, reviewing utilization & pricing comparisons, completing project documentation, miscellaneous and other administrative tasks as requested. (indeed.com)
Chagrin Valley Engineering, Bedford, OH: Environmental WETLAND SCIENTIST/BIOLOGIST
Biologist/Wetland Scientist for a full-time position. Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree in biology, botany or related field to conduct wetland delineations, functional assessments, and permits. Excellent writing and communication skills are mandatory. (sciencejobs.com)
- Cambrex Corporation, Walkersville, MD: Product Manager, Cell biology
Generates sustainable strategic/tactical program to support the Clonetics Cell Systems and Poietics Cell System product lines including evaluation of new product development opportunities, creating product positioning platforms, and setting competitive and pricing targets and goals. Will be an integral member of the sales and marketing team and be responsible for generation of necessary report tools and programs including sales literature, promotional programs, and product training efforts. (indeed.com)
What types of internships are typically secured by Biology majors?
The following represent only a few of the types of internships pursued by Biology majors:
US Navy Marine Mammal Program-Animal Care and Training Internship: This internship is designed to give undergraduate students a dynamic educational experience in the marine mammal field while offering valuable career experience. Students will be responsible for a number of support tasks with dolphins and sea lions throughout the course of the internship. These responsibilities will include diet preparation, sanitation, and equipment and facility maintenance. Interns may also have the opportunity to assist the marine mammal training staff in husbandry and open ocean training. In addition, they will provide support to the animal care staff in animal physicals, and assist in a number of different marine mammal research projects. Lectures and field trips will also be conducted throughout the term to enhance the learning experience.
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center – Research Technician:
The Research Technician is available in the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care. This laboratory studies the molecular and biological basis of HIV-1 infection using in vitro molecular biology, virology and cell biology approaches. The job will involve approximately 50% research and 50% general lab support/ management work. The research studies will include tissue culture, virology and general molecular biology techniques. The lab management work will involve maintenance of laboratory logs and records, ordering, and general laboratory support.
Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA – Life Sciences Intern
This position is a fifteen-month full-time paid internship position in Life Sciences, providing support for the daily set-up of public exhibits and demonstrations, as well as behind-the-scenes activity such as making solutions and culturing cells. Additionally, the position undertakes routine maintenance of living organisms, Life Sciences exhibits, and laboratory equipment. The position reports to the Life Sciences Area Manager. Applicants must be able to work weekends.
Amgen, Inc. – Process Development Interns
This internship project will focus on protease-mediated stability of recombinant proteins. Tasks will include purification and characterization of host cell proteases and development of quick, sensitive methods for detection and/or quantification by various analytical chemistry techniques: HPLC, SDS-PAGE, Protein Sequencing (MS/MS, Edman Degradation), Protein Mass Determination (MALDI-TOF, ESI-MS/TOF) and UV/Vis Spectroscopy. Work will be documented as it progresses and will culminate in the preparation of a technical document.
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC)
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center's (SERC) laboratories, educational facilities, and main field sites are located 30 miles east of Washington, D.C., on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. SERC's staff of over 100 includes 14 resident scientists, as well as visiting scientists, technicians, students, educators and support personnel. SERC advances stewardship of the biosphere through interdisciplinary research and education. SERC scientists study a variety of interconnected ecosystems at the Center's unique research site. Their research also extends to sites around the world. SERC's educational programs reach people of all backgrounds, including school children, teachers and the general public. SERC trains future scientists by involving students and postdoctoral fellows in ongoing research.
What are former Biology majors doing now?
Here are the job titles and employers of a few Middlebury alumni who majored in Biology. If you'd like to speak with an alumnus or alumna about his or her career, or ask for advice about your own, then search MiddNet for an alumni career advisor today!
Research Scientist, ICOS Corporation, Bothell, WA
Research Technician, The Blood Center of Southeast Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Internist, Porter Hospital, Middlebury, VT
Physical Therapist, Mercy Hospital, Portland, ME
Orthopedic Surgeon , Vermont Orthopedic Clinic , Rutland, VT
Director of School of Public Health, San Diego State University
- Biological Oceanographer, Nat'l Oceanic & Atmospheric Admin., Silver Spring, MD
What sort of graduate study have majors in Biology pursued?
Listed below are some of the graduate schools attended, and degrees attained, by Middlebury alumni who majored in Biology.
Cornell University, Ph.D.
Case Western Reserve University, J.D.
Columbia University, M.D.
Vanderbilt University, Ph.D.
Harvard University, M.D.
- University of Maryland, M.S. (Science)
How can you learn more about careers that might interest you?
Read a book. The following books, available for your perusal in the CSO library, may be of particular interest to Biology majors:
Healthcare Career Starter,Learning Express.
Great Jobs for Biology Majors,Blythe Camenson
Careers for Animal Lovers and Other Zoological Types,Louise Miller
Jump Start Your Career in BioScience,Chandra B. Louise, Ph.D.
Clinical Laboratory Science Careers,Karen Karni
- Job Opportunities in Health and Science,Peterson's
Use the Web. The following Web sites may be useful:
More Resources and Services
Stop by CSO for a Drop-In, or call to make an appointment with a counselor to talk about contacting alumni, assessing your career interests/preferences, and other actions you can take to prepare yourself for the transition from Middlebury to the professional world.