What to Do with a Degree in Biology

Career Paths in Biology

Thomas West
A degree in Biology can be a fascinating and exciting pursuit, and encourages you to think critically about the world and to examine the natural things that surround us, including the amazing variety of living things that populate our planet. If you have or about to earn a degree in biology, you'll be happy to know that there are also a large number of careers that you can pursue. This article will detail some of the careers you can pursue with a degree in biology.

Research

One of the most lucrative careers you can pursue with your degree in biology is research. In this career path, you have several options, including both laboratory and field work. In either case, you will be able to use the latest technology and equipment to study the way that natural systems work and interact with one another. If you pursue this line of work, you may even find that you can travel to fantastic places throughout the world.

Conservation and Other Environmental Work

If you have found yourself interested in protecting and nurturing the environment, you should consider pursuing a career in conservation or environmental work. There are a number of careers that you can pursue within this area, including park rangers (who undertake the protection and maintenance of national and state parks) and zoo biologists (who often work to ensure the protection and continued existence of endangered species through such activities as breeding programs). If you choose this particular career path, you will be able to ensure that the natural world is preserved for future generations, and you may also get to work with a wide variety of people, including communities and various landowners and other special interest groups to create imaginative solutions to contemporary environmental challenges.

Healthcare

A degree in biology can also lead to you a career in various health professions, and biologists are often at the forefront of the fight against such diseases as AIDS, cancer, as well as in the prevention of disease outbreaks. Individual careers within this area include doctor and veterinarian.

Education

A degree in Biology can lead to several different careers within the field of education. You can teach at numerous levels of education, depending on the degree that you attain, including college and university (which typically requires at least a Masters Degree), primary and secondary schools (which often requires additional certification in education), and in such non-school settings as zoos, aquariums, parks, and nature centers (where you can design exhibits and educate the public about the importance of nature).

Clearly, a degree in Biology is very useful for attaining a job and pursuing a career in a number of different fields. Whether you'd rather be in the lab or the field, in the classroom or in a museum, a degree in Biology can lead you in many exciting and interesting directions.

Published by Thomas West - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment

Thomas grew up in West Virginia, where he earned a B.A. in English, History, and Classics from Marshall University. He went on to earn an M.A. in English (with a Certificate of Advanced Study in Women s and...  View profile

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