Of course you did. I know, I know. Boring. Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s not true and there ARE exciting jobs for those with a degree in biochemistry.
How do I use my biochemistry degree to land a career (or graduate school admission) with a high starting salary?
The Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical industry are two of the fastest growing fields in the world today. If you’re looking for a career in either field, it’s a great idea to learn about all of your options. A biochemistry degree is especially promising if you plan on pursuing a job in the pharmaceutical industry. Let’s look at some of the reasons why you should consider this major, as well as where you can go with it after college.
Careers with a biochemistry degree
Biochemistry combines other science fields together to give you a well-rounded education. What can you do with an online biochemistry degree?
Biochemistry is the study of the chemical processes that occur within and between living things. Biochemists explore the principles of life by investigating how organisms synthesize, store, break down and utilize materials, like nutrients, lipids and proteins. In addition to understanding cells and organisms at a microscopic level, biochemists examine protein function from an industrial or environmental view to provide a more broad perspective. Some biochemists specialize in genetics and use computers to sort out genetic information for use in diagnosing human diseases or finding better ways to treat cancer. Biochemistry is most commonly studied in colleges and universities leading to a degree in biochemistry or biology. There are also many programs that combine a study of biochemistry with other subjects such as computer science and engineering.
Biotechnology is an industry that is expected to grow as healthcare costs continue to skyrocket.
Hopefully this article has cleared up some misconceptions about biochemistry and has made it apparent that there are a variety of careers available for those with a background in this field.
While it may seem to some college students that a biochemistry degree will only be useful in lab work or medical school, there is a hidden world of jobs that they are interested in that makes this field relevant. For example, future marine biologists will need the knowledge to learn more about the ocean and its lifeforms, public health experts will benefit from knowing more about microbial infections, and forensics professionals will have an added edge if they have study biochemistry. With the increased availability of biochemistry jobs for sociology students and students with other non-biology majors, it seems the door has opened a little wider for those with a passion for science who did not see their dreams come true by choosing biology as their degree major.
With hundreds of undergraduate degrees and thousands of graduate degrees offered at accredited institutions, the prospects for biochemistry majors are boundless. Biochemistry is used in the medical field, pharmaceutical companies and with other biological applications that are essential for modern life. It may not make you millions, but it will help you educate yourself and prepare you for a career in which you can have a lot of fun and be rewarded with a great income while doing something that you love.
Biochemistry degrees are often combined with other majors, such as Biology, or Chemistry. The latter is probably the most common one in North America. Many of these students will later become pharmacists or laboratory technicians, working in a medical environment or in a research lab. One of the reasons to study Biochemistry is its demand among employers. This can be attributed to the fact that many business areas need specialists trained in biochemical sciences. These include pharmaceutical companies, but also food and beverage companies, cosmetic producers, etc. Taking a look at statistics for the U.S., we can confirm that these are indeed among the most popular industries for former Biochemistry majors (the pie chart below shows the 2013 data from Indeed).
Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary science and accredited degree course in the field if you want to focus on the medical sciences, but with a significant amount of research work involved.
Also look into companies that offer job development training. This will help you become a valuable team member and be prepared for advancement or upper level positions.
