Healthcare: clinical research (e.g., virology, immunology, enzymology), medical devices, and equipment
Pharmacology: drug properties, interactions, application, and development
Environmental: testing, air, water, and waste management, regulation
Agricultural: crop production, herbicide/pesticide development and application, bio-remediation
Food science: preservation, nutrition
Cosmeceutical: development and application
Forensic: toxicology, DNA analysis, scientific instrumentation
Employers
University laboratories
Federal government laboratories/agencies:
National Science Foundation
National Institutes of Health
Food and Drug Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
Department of Agriculture
Department of Energy
Department of Defense
State and local government laboratories/agencies
Public health departments
Hospital laboratories
Commercial medical laboratories
Private testing laboratories including forensics
Independent research foundations
Industries:
Biotechnology: pharmaceutical and medical device/equipment
Food processing
Cosmetic
Chemical
Petroleum
Agricultural
Strategies
Plan to take coursework in biology, chemistry, and mathematics and demonstrate proficiency.
Choose courses with laboratory components to build experimental and instrumentation skills.
Gain experience in area of interest through internships, research with professors and/or complete a senior research project.
Complete a certificate training program, usually one year, to learn specialized laboratory techniques. Certification requirements vary by state.
Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills for sharing data as well as collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams of scientists.
Take a course in grant writing, as many scientists and professors seek funding to support their research and teaching.
Earn a master’s degree or Ph.D. to advance into college or university teaching or for directing scientific research in government laboratories or industry.
Consider pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship, generally two-three years, after earning a Ph.D. to gain additional research experience.
Healthcare
Medicine
Dentistry
Optometry
Podiatry
Pharmacy
Chiropracty
Veterinary medicine
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Public health
Employers
Hospitals
Colleges or universities
Medical centers and clinics
Private and group practice
Health networks
Nursing homes
Rehabilitation centers
Correctional facilities
Large corporations
Armed services
Government agencies
State and local public health departments
Strategies
Plan to attend medical school or other related graduate program.
Research accredited institutions. Check graduation rates, success rates on licensing exams, cost, location, etc. Speak with current students.
Maintain an outstanding grade point average, particularly in the sciences. Meet with a pre-health advisor periodically to discuss curricular decisions and admissions test preparation.
Join related student organizations (e.g., student chapters of the American Medical Association, Academy of Student Pharmacists, Health Occupations Students of America, etc.).
Demonstrate leadership abilities.
Volunteer or intern in a healthcare setting such as a hospital, rehabilitation facility, pharmacy, etc. based on your interests. Graduate and professional schools seek students with tested experience.
Consider pursuing certification as a medical laboratory technologist or technician. Licensure varies by state.
Secure strong faculty recommendations who will attest to your interest in the healthcare field as well as your academic ability and work ethic.
Research the various fields within healthcare to determine a particular career goal.
Develop a parallel plan in case medical/graduate school admission is denied.
Other Professional Opportunities
Sales/Marketing
Technical writing
Scientific journalism
Scientific illustration
Regulatory affairs
Administration/Management
Scientific/Technical recruiting
Intellectual Property/Patent law
Bioinformatics
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
Supplement biochemistry degree with either additional coursework or a minor in a specialty area such as journalism, technical writing, business, or mathematics.
Become familiar with desktop publishing and other software packages particularly for communications-related positions.
Gain experience through internships, part-time work, or summer jobs to test interest in a field and network. According to your goal, consider writing for the school newspaper, working at your campus computer lab, or pursuing sales/marketing opportunities.
Develop strong written and oral communication skills which are necessary across industries.
Be prepared to start in entry-level business positions such as management trainee programs.
Obtain an MBA or Ph.D. to reach high levels of management and administration.
To pursue a J.D., participate in mock trial and pre-law associations and research the law school admissions process.
Teaching
Elementary
Secondary
Post-secondary
Non-classroom settings
Employers
Public and private schools, K-12
Two-year community colleges/technical institutes
Four-year institutions
Professional schools:
Pharmacy, dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, and agriculture
Museums
Zoos
Nature centers and parks
Strategies
Develop excellent communication skills, verbal and written, for interacting with students, colleagues, and parents.
Gain experience working with age group of interest through volunteering and tutoring.
Become skilled in the use of computers and laboratory equipment.
Considering joining a professional teaching association such as the National Science Teachers Association or the National Association of Biology Teachers for current information on the field and for networking opportunities.
Acquire appropriate certification for K-12 teaching opportunities.
Due to science teacher shortages in some areas, consider researching alternative certification programs which may offer a faster route to secondary teaching opportunities.
Seek advanced degree required for specialists, education administration, college teaching, and other professional positions.
Prepare to attend graduate school by maintaining a high grade point average and securing strong faculty recommendations for post-secondary teaching. A master’s degree is sufficient for teaching at some two year-institutions.
Complete Ph.D. for college or university teaching.
General Information
A bachelor’s degree will qualify one for work as a laboratory assistant, technician, technologist, or research assistant in education, industry, government, museums, parks, and gardens.
Biochemists are typically curious and creative with strong observational and analytical skills as well as the ability to persevere through lengthy research projects. They demonstrate competence in laboratory methods, computer science, and mathematics.
As an undergraduate, seek laboratory experiences such as research projects, volunteering with professors, summer jobs, or internships.
Develop the ability to communicate effectively to compile and share results in oral and written forms.
Biochemists often interact with scientists from other disciplines. Learn to work independently and as part of a team.
Read scientific journals to stay current on relevant issues in the field and join related professional organizations to network and build contacts.
Visit government laboratories or research centers to learn more about opportunities in biochemistry. Schedule informational interviews to learn about the profession and specific career paths.
Participate in research programs sponsored by organizations like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.
Become familiar with the specific entrance exam for graduate or professional schools in your area of interest.
Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations.
Earn a master’s degree to specialize in a particular research area and to teach at some two- and four-year institutions.
Earn a Ph.D. to direct research projects, to enter high levels of administration, and to teach at four-year post-secondary institutions. Postdoctoral fellowships may also be required.
Combine an undergraduate degree in biochemistry with a degree in law, computer programming, business, education, information science, or other discipline to expand career opportunities.
Research the job application process for government positions. Seek guidance from career center staff for assistance.
