There are many ways to have a career in science, or to use science in your career. Here are a few possibilities for people with degrees in Liberal Arts Studies, Elementary Education, or Biology.
Liberal Arts Studies
If you are getting your degree in Liberal Arts Studies, you can major or minor in Biology, Physical Science, or Science. The career path you would take depends on your other major. (For example, a student who would like a career in medical illustration might choose majors in Biology and Art.) Be assured that in today's technology-driven workplace, a science background will help you move ahead in almost any field.
Elementary Education
If you want to get an education degree, you can major or minor in Biology or in Science. There is shortage of teachers at all levels who are trained in science. Having a major or minor in a Natural Science subject area (for example, the "Biology Teaching Major") will give you an edge in the educational job market.
Biology
Biologists have the best jobs in the country, according to the Jobs Rated Almanac of 2002. In all, 250 jobs were ranked by the Almanac according to stress levels, pay, degree of autonomy, work environment, physical demands, job security, and market demand. The rankings are based on government labor and census data, combined with surveys conducted by trade and industry groups.
What can you do with a biology degree?
A biology degree opens doors to a variety of educational and career opportunities. You can
- Work in a pharmaceutical company;
- Apply to professional programs such as Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dental Hygiene, or Allied Health field;
- Teach high school biology (combine your biology program with an educational degree and a teaching certificate);
- Be part of a medical research team;
- Work in the rapidly growing area of environmental sciences and conservation;
- Do quality control in the food industry;
- Professional and industrial sales of pharmaceuticals, and medical and scientific instruments and supplies;
- Work at a museum;
- Be a research technician in industry or at a university or research center;
- Be a zookeeper;
- Enter a graduate program in bioinformatics, microbiology, genetic engineering, horticulture, neurobiology, agronomy, animal science, or any of dozens of new and exciting fields;
- Teach in a private school;
- Do scientific writing . . .
A biology degree does not limit you to a career in biological sciences. Your degree provides a strong general education with emphasis in life science.
