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Academics |
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Biochemistry Careers
What can I do with this degree?
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EMPLOYERS |
STRATEGIES |
Research
Basic
Applied
Medical
Grant Writing
Administration |
- 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
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- 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 a 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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Teaching
Elementary
Secondary
Post-secondary |
- Public and private elementary, middle, and high schools.
- Two-year community colleges/technical institutes
- Four-year institutions
- Medical schools
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- 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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Healthcare
Medicine
Dentistry
Optometry
Podiatry
Pharmacy
Veterinary Medicine
Allied Health
-Occupational Therapy
-Physical Therapy |
Hospitals
Medical centers
Nursing homes
Private practice
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- 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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Other professional opportunities
Sales/Marketing
Technical Writing
Scientific Journalism
Scientific Illustration
Regulatory Affairs
Administration/Management
Scientific/Technical Recruiting
Intellectual Property/Patent Law |
- Biotechnology industry
- Pharmaceutical and chemical companies
- Publishers: textbook, magazine, newspaper, book
- Software firms
- Regulatory agencies
- Search firms
- Law firms
- Legal departments of corporations
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- 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 a 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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Mail: PO Box 359, Sheboygan, WI 53082-0359