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May 5, 2025

Biology and Chemistry Majors: The Truth About Careers Beyond Medical School

Lots of students majoring in biology or chemistry are planning on medical school in the future. But what about the rest? What if you love science and you don’t want to go to medical school? Or what if you start shadowing and realize you don’t want to be a physician? There is good news for anyone who is fascinated by science. There are plenty of job opportunities beyond becoming a doctor. Keep reading to learn about career paths and advice from higher education professionals.

Where are jobs available for science majors?

Professional associations for biology and chemistry agree that nearly every area of the workforce needs scientists. In fact, many of the top 20 fastest growing occupations in the U.S. are science-related. Think of all the different spaces and places that can benefit from scientific knowledge. Understanding how certain career paths apply this information can help you decide which direction to take. Here is the most common breakdown of where jobs are available for scientists.

Academia or education

Many biologists and chemists find work in the realm of education, teaching, labs or libraries.

Industry or business

The business world has many opportunities for those who know a lot about science. Things like pharmaceutical and medical device sales, quality control, scientific writing and flavor chemistry, to name a few.

Non-profit

Have you considered the way scientists are a part of cultural organizations such as museums, zoos or aquariums? What about the roles they play in advocacy groups or professional organizations? There are a lot of opportunities for scientific work to improve the common good through humanitarian, charitable or educational means.

Other health-related work

There are health-related jobs that require a deep understanding of science but that do not require an M.D., such as blood bank technicians, genetic counselors and more.

Government policy and environmental care

Whether you are interested in public research, regulatory affairs, public policy or the environment, government sectors have a variety of work opportunities for scientists.

How to know which area is right for you

Now you know where you might apply scientific expertise, the next step is to get help thinking through your best fit. College campuses are a great place to dive in deeper.

Get Campus Experience

Chemistry professor Mark Turlington says one undergraduate experience trumps all others giving science students the experience they need:

“Chemistry students can find fulfilling careers in a variety of industries including pharmaceuticals, agriscience, quality control analysis, plastics and textiles manufacturing and energy sectors. Others choose to teach, either at the high school or college level. But in all cases, involvement in undergraduate research is an excellent way to gain experiences and develop skills that employers and graduate programs look for in applicants. In addition to building a resume, research helps students get more out of their coursework as they apply their chemical knowledge to real-world problems. Undergraduate research also gives students the opportunity to find out what types of chemistry they enjoy.”

Higher education experts suggest looking for other on-campus opportunities related to the work you are considering. Beyond research experience, attend panels when your campus hosts experts in your field. Join clubs related to science such as Allied Health or One Health initiatives. Connect with your campus equivalent to Berry’s Center for Personal and Professional Development to see if there are personality assessments to help you consider your best fit. But, most of all, put yourself in spaces where you can learn more about those opportunities.

Find an internship

Once you have a good idea of a potential career path, try it through an internship opportunity. For example, Berry College biology major Abbey Wiseman confirmed her career goals through a marine conservation internship in DeWees Island, South Carolina.

She said, “Beyond the research intent, I gained knowledge of wildlife management such as invasive species removal, population surveying, animal relocation, education programs and even working with endangered animals like loggerhead sea turtles!”

An internship can be a great opportunity to gain insight and figure out if a work environment is a good future fit.

Connect with professionals and alumni

Beyond getting experience yourself, being a part of a college allows you to learn from the experience of others. Networking with alumni and local experts can give you a clear perspective on what a job is like in the day-to-day or important factors about the work you might not have considered.

Pre-health Advisor Chris Mingone explains, “Some students come with an idea of medical school. Then, through advising, shadowing and more, students begin evaluating their choices. If a student decides that medicine is not the right path, many times it is because they realize they enjoy asking questions and exploring. It has similarities to what a medical doctor does but with some differences. The questions, the thrill in forming hypotheses, challenge of failed experiments and the satisfaction in data collection and publication, working with your hands and mind, in a slightly different way – these experiences are sometimes what students are looking for. It is our job to help them figure that out.”

Consider graduate work

Although biology and chemistry majors can get jobs right out of college, there are many opportunities that pay more and offer job freedom and flexibility with a graduate degree. Talk with your advisors or your school’s Center for Personal and Professional Development to see if applying to graduate school might be an important step in your career.

Graduate with a job

Don’t want to go back to school? No problem. Below is a list of jobs that only require an undergraduate degree according to job data from Indeed and Salary.com. Or check out the 10 fastest-growing science occupations at the U.S. Department of Labor. No matter what, if you are curious about how the world works, if you love to research, remember there are a lot of career opportunities out there looking for your critical thinking skills and curiosity. Check out the examples below!

1. Pharmaceutical or medical device sales representative

National average salary: $121,946
A medical sales representative promotes pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, products or services to a variety of markets, primarily including hospitals, medical centers and doctors' practices. Medical sales representatives establish and maintain relationships with customers. Sales representatives in the medical industry must also stay aware of new developments in the field to provide competitive information to customers. They typically have a bachelor’s degree in scientific fields or marketing.

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2. Laboratory technician

National average salary: $45,059 per year
A laboratory technician implements experiments and maintains a laboratory environment. They conduct research, gather data, calibrate equipment, take samples and sanitize work areas. Lab techs typically assist a higher-level professional, such as a researcher or scientist with a higher degree. Technician can be a good entry-level role, as employers prefer hiring candidates with an associate's or bachelor's degree in laboratory science or a related field.

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3. Forensic scientist

National average salary: $63,220 per year
A forensic scientist analyzes physical evidence from a crime scene to gain clues about the details of an occurrence. They do this by performing scientific and chemical experiments and other processes in a laboratory. They work with detectives, police officers and other professionals to investigate and solve a crime. Employers usually seek candidates with at least a bachelor's degree in natural science like biology or chemistry.

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4. Environmental scientist

National average salary: $63,119 per year
An environmental scientist conducts research to protect natural resources, support human health and solve environmental issues. They may work to decrease problems like pollution, climate change and deforestation. During their academic training, these students explore topics like ecology, geology and biology to understand environmental issues.

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5. Microbiologist

National average salary: $63,211 per year
A microbiologist investigates the characteristics and role of microorganisms within ecosystems. They may study plant pests and diseases, bacteria, algae and fungi, viruses or parasites, and their knowledge can help foster advancements in fields like health-care, agriculture and environmental science.

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6. Science or medical writer

National average salary: $105,570 per year
A medical writer creates documents on medical, scientific and other research-related topics to promote awareness of them and educate the public. They may write promotional materials, articles, journal manuscripts, abstracts or website content. For example, a medical writer may compose an educational article on a certain type of disease, symptoms and treatment. Employers hiring for a medical writer position often look for candidates with academic training in a scientific field like biology or chemistry.

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7. BiologisT

National average salary: $70,725 per year
A biologist studies the life processes, interactions and environments of humans, plants, animals, bacteria and other organisms. This helps people learn about the world, protect the health of living beings and overcome environmental issues. To gain an entry-level role in the field, candidates complete at least a bachelor's degree in biology. It can help to choose a concentration in a specific area, such as molecular and cell biology, ecology or biochemistry. Candidates may also pursue a master's or doctoral degree for higher-level research and management positions.

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8. Atmospheric scientists

National average salary: $83,780
Atmospheric scientists such as meteorologists study weather, climate and other aspects of the atmosphere. They develop reports and forecasts from their analysis of weather and climate data. Although many careers in meteorology are available to college graduates with a bachelor's degree, graduate-level education opens the door to many more professional opportunities.

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9. Biotech consultant

National average salary: $134,335 per year
A biotech consultant offers direction to organizations interested in biotech devices and services. They often focus on how biotechnology can help a business become more efficient or help a medical professional treat a patient's condition. Biotech consultants typically gain in-depth knowledge of advanced therapies and healthcare solutions. Students with the goal of becoming a biotech consultant typically earn a degree in biotechnology, biology or another topic in life sciences or business.

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10. Senior formulation chemist

National average salary: $87,733
Formulation chemistry is part of manufacturing and deals with substances that don’t react with each other but contribute to a final product. For example, an aspirin tablet contains aspirin, colorants, flavors, binders, etc. These don’t react with each other, but all play a role in the final product. Scientists in this work look for the right combination of ingredients while balancing product quality, stability, cost and other factors. Employers often look for candidates with a bachelor's or master’s degree as the majority of training is obtained on the job by learning from a senior formulation chemist.

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