Department of Biology at Colorado State University

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Advising: Career Counseling: What You Can Do With A Biology Major

Listed below is a brief sampling of occupational titles and employment settings which relate to a major in biology. While special knowledge of specific subject matter is necessary for certain occupational settings, not all employment settings require specialization. Some employers prefer liberal arts graduates who possess broad liberal skills, such as problem solving, critical thinking, management and administration, and communication. These functional transferable skills combined with specific content knowledge are most useable and marketable in a broad span of occupational settings.

Research/Investigating/Analyzing/Systematizing/Evaluating Skills:
Surveying Decision making Interviewing Screening Analyzing community needs Skilled at clarifying problems/situations Analyzing communication situations Recognizing elements, relationships, structures and organizing principles Critiquing Ability to trace problems to their sources Diagnosing	Able to separate "wheat from chaff" Analyzing manpower requirements Reviewing large amounts of material and extracting essence Organizing/classifying Perceiving/defining cause and effect relationship Reviewing/evaluating Anticipate problems before they become problems Systematizing/organizing material Problem solving Trouble-shooting

Typical Work Activities:
Performing ambiguous or abstract tasks Solving problems through thinking Working independently	Doing scientific or laboratory work Conducting research and analyses Collecting and organizing data

Occupational Opportunities:
Agriculture scientist Medical illustrator Animal Scientist Microbiologist Aquaculture Farmer Molecular Biologist Aquaculturist Museum curator Aquarium & Museum Worker Nuclear medicine technician Aquatic Biologist Park naturalist Barrier Beach Manager Pharmaceutical researcher Biological researcher Pharmaceutical Salesperson Biochemist Pharmacologist Bioengineer Physician Biology photographer Plant pathologist Bio-technologist Professional magazine editor Biostatistician Environmental Protection Worker	Public health officer Botanist Research technician Brewery Laboratory Assistant Researcher College professor, researcher Science librarian Consumer product researcher Science writer Dietetics technician Science Laboratory Technician Ecologist Scientific illustrator Ed. TV producer Scientific information specialist Entomologist Secondary science teacher Environmental educator State Parks & Recreation Worker Environmental Health Specialist Technical representative, salesperson	Test and Inspection Technician Ergonomist Toxicologist Fisheries biologist Underwater Technician Fisheries Conservationist Veterinarian Forester Water Quality Technician Genetic counselor Wildlife Biologist Health information specialist Wildlife manager Horticulturist Zoo keeper/curator Hospital Administrator Zoologist Industrial hygienist Insurance claims representative Marine Bacteriologist Marine biologist Marine Ecologist Market Research Analyst Medical technologist Technical writer Environmental impact specialist

Possible Employment Settings:
Aquariums Government Agencies Arboretums Agriculture Department Botanical Gardens Energy Department Chemical Industries Fish & Wildlife Service Colleges and Universities	Hatcheries Consulting Firms Publishers Cosmetic Companies Research & Development Firms Food Processors Zoological Parks