What can I do with this degree?

BIOCHEMISTRY

AREA: RESEARCH

• Basic
• Applied
• Medical
• Grant Writing
• Administration

EMPLOYERS

• University laboratories
• Federal government laboratories/agencies including:
• National Science Foundation
• National Institutes of Health
• Food and Drug Administration
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Department of Agriculture
• Armed Services
• State and local government laboratories/agencies
• Public health departments
• Hospital laboratories
• Commercial medical laboratories
• Private testing laboratories including forensics
• Independent research foundations
• Industry laboratories:
  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Biotechnology firms
  • Food processors
  • Cosmetic manufacturers
  • Chemical and petroleum industries
  • Agricultural industry

STRATEGIES

Bachelor's degree in biochemistry, biology, or chemistry qualifies one for laboratory technician or research assistant positions. Choose courses with laboratory work. Get on the job experience in a laboratory and/or complete a senior research project. Complete a certificate training program, usually one year, to learn specialized laboratory techniques. Take a course in grant writing.

Earn master's degree in biochemistry for better positions, advancement opportunities, more responsibility and higher pay. Obtain Ph.D. to direct research projects and lead research teams.

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AREA: TEACHING

• Elementary
• Secondary
• Post-secondary

EMPLOYERS

• Public and private elementary, middle, and high schools
• Two-year community colleges/technical institutes
• Four-year institutions
• Medical schools

STRATEGIES

Complete an accredited teacher preparation program for certification/licensure in biology and/or chemistry. Ph.D. required for college or university teaching. Some teaching positions in two-year institutions may be available for those with a master's degree. Prepare to attend graduate school by maintaining a high grade point average and securing strong faculty recommendations. Serve as a tutor for high school or college students. Learn to communicate effectively.

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AREA: HEALTHCARE

• Medicine
• Dentistry
• Optometry
• Podiatry
• Pharmacy
• Veterinary Medicine
• Allied Health
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy

EMPLOYERS

• Hospitals
• Medical centers
• Nursing homes
• Private practice

STRATEGIES

Plan on attending medical school or other related graduate program. Maintain an outstanding grade point average, particularly in the sciences. Secure strong faculty recommendations. Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically. Join related student organizations. Demonstrate leadership abilities. Volunteer to work in a hospital or healthcare setting. Find a summer job or internship in a hospital.
Develop a back up plan in case medical/graduate school admission is denied.
Consider alternative but related careers such as physician assistants. Research all of the various fields within medicine to determine a particular career goal.

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AREA: OTHER PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

• Sales/Marketing
• Technical Writing
• Scientific Journalism
• Scientific Illustration
• Regulatory Affairs
• Administration/Management
• Scientific/Technical Recruiting
• Intellectual Property/Patent Law
  

EMPLOYERS

• Biotechnology industry
• Pharmaceutical and chemical companies
• Publishers: Textbook, magazine, newspaper, book
• Software firms
• Regulatory agencies
• Search firms
• Law firms
• Legal departments of corporations

STRATEGIES

For sales positions, gain sales experience through internships, part-time work, or summer jobs. Take business and/or computer classes. Become familiar with desktop publishing and other software packages. Develop strong written and oral communication skills. Get experience writing for a school or local newspaper.

Obtain an MBA or Ph.D. to reach high levels of administration. Plan on attending law school if interested in law.

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GENERAL INFORMATION

• As an undergraduate, seek laboratory experiences such as research projects, volunteering with professors, summer jobs, or internships.
• Participate in research programs sponsored by organizations like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
• Consider a certificate program or specialized master's program to qualify for research technician positions.
• Earn master's degree for greater variety and autonomy on the job.
  Earn a Ph.D. to work on high-level research projects, to direct research programs, to enter high levels of administration, and to teach at four-year post-secondary institutions. Postdoctoral fellowships may also be required.
• Learn to work independently and as part of a team.
• Develop the ability to communicate clearly.
• Gain competencies in computers and mathematics.
• Read scientific journals and join related professional organizations.
• Combine an undergraduate degree in biochemistry with a degree in law, computer programming, business, education, information science, or other discipline to expand career opportunities.

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