This guide contains only a partial list of occupational titles and career fields that may be of interest to students considering a biology major.  In addition to the skills and knowledge gained through your college course work in this major, you may also need to acquire career related work experience, additional work related skills and/or additional education.  Some of the occupations require an advanced degree to enter the field.

After you have identified possible occupations of interest to you, it is important to investigate the nature of work; education and training requirements; skills and special talents needed; types of employers; future trends and employment outlook related to each of these careers.  We have set-up links to internet sites which provide detailed descriptions of these occupations . You may also want to research these occupations by reading the books and literature available in the Philadelphia House Career Resource Library, by contacting related professional associations and by talking with individuals working in the field.

This guide also provides information about obtaining related work experience including links to possible internships. However for the best information on current, local internships contact Sally Cardenas, Director of Internships and Community-Based Learning at 562-464-4533 or email her at scardenas@whittier.edu.

Career Options

Biology Related Occupations

Note: (2) refers to second information link for occupational title

Typical Employers

Aquariums, arboretums, chemical companies, colleges and universities, conservation agencies, fisheries, government agencies, greenhouses and nurseries, hospitals and clinics, medical supply companies, medical and testing laboratories, national and state parks, nature preserves, petroleum manufacturers, pharmaceutical firms, schools, research and development firms, sports clubs, utility companies and zoos.

Liberal Arts Related Occupations  
(click here for additional career options)

Marketable Skills 
associated with Biology Major

• Ability to make critical observations and appropriate decisions
• Proficiency in problem solving; creative thinking; proficiency in questioning and analyzing;
• Conducting and explaining research
• Collecting and analyzing data
• Understanding and expressing complex scientific and technical information
• Ability to operate scientific equipment, instruments and computers
• Ability to organize and maintain accurate records
• Using graphs, diagrams, maps and charts
• Ability to concentrate for long periods
• Meeting deadlines

Getting Career Related Work Experience

To be competitive in today's job market and to improve your qualifications for graduate school, gaining career related work experience while you are a college student is very important.  Career related work experience can include various forms of paid and volunteer experience (i.e. internships, some work study positions, summer or part-time jobs in your career field of interest, possibly fellowships, and some volunteer positions)  A few examples of these opportunities are listed on the following link:

Biology Related Internships

Sources of Career and Employment Information

Career Information Links

• Environment Information Links
• Health Care Information Links
• Math & Science Information Links
• Links to Professional Associations 

Employer Information Links

• Environment Employment Resources
• Health Care and Medicine Employment Resources
• Science Employment Resources
• General Employment Links

Graduate School Resources

• General Graduate School Resources
• Science Related Program Links
• Health and Medicine Program Links
• Environment and Animal Science Program Links