A bachelor’s degree in science prepares you for various careers in diverse industries like engineering and information technology. Knowing where you might work can help you choose your degree concentration if you’re still in school and help you tailor your search if you’re looking for a job. In this article, we delve into the top career paths in science and explain ways to advance in these roles.
Recommended
Bachelor of Science jobs in biology
A biology degree prepares you to study living organisms. Obtaining this degree can be the first step toward careers that may require advanced education, such as careers in medicine and genetic technology. Some of the jobs you might be able to pursue with a biology degree include:
1. Biologist
National average salary: $80,981 per year
Primary duties: Biologists study living matter to better understand how plants and organisms interact with nature. They often work in academia at research institutions and universities. Many biologists choose to specialize in fields like evolutionary biology and biochemistry.
2. Physician
National average salary: $235,516 per year
Primary duties: Physicians care for patients by diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries. Diagnostics may require the physician to conduct and interpret medical tests, while treating patients may require prescribing medicine or performing procedures.
3. Dentist
National average salary: $237,133 per year
Primary duties: Dentists care for patient’s oral health by diagnosing and treating illnesses that affect the mouth and repairing damaged teeth. A dentist may also help patients improve their health by teaching them how to care for their teeth and gums properly.
Additional jobs for biology majors
-
Nurse practitioner
-
Physician Assistant
-
Pharmacist
-
Podiatrist
-
Veterinarian
-
Wildlife biologist
-
Marine biologist
-
Pharmaceutical sales representative
-
Genetic counselor
-
Park ranger
-
Biology teacher
-
Food scientist
Bachelor of Science jobs in psychology
Psychology teaches you how to understand the mind. When you graduate with a psychology degree, you may be ready for roles working directly with patients or clients, including:
1. Behavioral therapist
National average salary: $19.27 per hour
Primary duties: Behavioral therapists focus on treating behavioral and mood disorders. They often work in clinical settings but may see patients in their homes or at school as well. These therapists use their knowledge to help patients modify behaviors that they want to change.
2. Therapist
National average salary: $33.24 per hour
Primary duties: Therapists help patients improve their mental state by teaching strategies to analyze their emotions and reduce stress. Therapists may also form strategies to help patients mitigate the symptoms of mental illness. They often specialize in areas like family and child therapy.
3. Clinical psychologist
National average salary: $99,756 per year
Primary duties: Clinical psychologists assess and treat psychiatric problems. Patients can arrange appointments in hospitals or private facilities as well as in their homes. Clinical psychologists often form part of a larger medical team.
Additional jobs for psychology majors
-
Neuropsychiatrist
-
Researcher
-
Psychiatric technician
-
Psychology professor
-
School counselor
-
Military psychologist
-
Sports psychologist
-
Forensic psychologist
-
Career counselor
-
Victim advocate
-
Child custody worker
-
Social worker
Chemistry
Obtaining a degree in chemistry can prepare you to work in business or pharmaceuticals as easily as it can prepare you to work as a scientist in a research center. A few common jobs for chemistry majors include:
1. Chemical technician
National average salary: $17.53 per hour
Primary duties: Chemical technicians work in labs assisting chemists and other researchers by performing activities like labeling specimens and keeping the equipment in good condition. A chemist may begin their career in the lab as a technician.
2. Analytical chemist
National average salary: $61,196 per year
Primary duties: Analytical chemists conduct studies and analyze chemical data, often working with forensic and toxicology labs. They can also work with pharmaceutical companies to develop new medications.
3. Pharmacologist
National average salary: $116,989 per year
Primary duties: Pharmacologists test and develop new drug therapies, ensuring they’re safe for human consumption. These professionals study how the body interacts with different drugs, paying attention to factors like how long each chemical compound remains in the bloodstream.
READ ALSO: BEST ONLINE BACHELOR IN SOCIAL SCIENCES DEGREES
Additional jobs for chemistry majors
-
Materials scientist
-
Oceanographer
-
Toxicologist
-
Nanotechnologist
-
Chemistry teacher
-
Geochemist
-
Hazardous waste chemist
-
Organic chemist
-
Quality control chemist
-
Synthetic chemist
-
Water chemist
-
Science writer
Computer science
Computer science degree programs teach you the principles behind computer technology and software development. This degree may help you succeed in many careers, including:
1. CAD operator
National average salary: $71,135 per year
Primary duties: CAD operators, also called drafters, use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to create sophisticated blueprints and drawings used by manufacturers and architects. They often work within construction and manufacturing firms.
2. Database administrator
National average salary: $97,595 per year
Primary duties: Database administrators manage computer databases, making sure that they’re secure and run efficiently. A computer database is a data trove that users can rapidly search for information. Companies use these databases to store and organize information ranging from sensitive customer records to inventory data.
3. Software developer
National average salary: $107,868 per year
Primary duties: Software developers design, test, and edit software for businesses. This software ranges from internal programs that will only be used by company employees to customer-facing software that might be for sale. Software developers may write their own computer code or they may work with computer programmers.
Additional jobs for computer science majors
-
Senior technical director
-
Server architect
-
PHP developer
-
Junior helpdesk associate
-
Software consultant
-
Technical support representative
-
Network architect
-
Web developer
-
IT project manager
-
Systems analyst
-
Computer science professor
Engineering
Graduating with an engineering degree can teach you the technical and critical reasoning skills needed to succeed in many careers, including:
1. Cartographer
National average salary: $73,500 per year
Primary duties: Cartographers create maps, verify their information by conducting field studies, and analyzing geographical data. They also examine existing maps and make necessary adjustments. Cartographers usually complete most of their work on computers, but certain positions may require fieldwork as well.
2. Civil engineer
National average salary: $87,576 per year
Primary duties: Civil engineers design, construct, and maintain public and private transportation and infrastructure systems. A civil engineer may be hired to oversee a dam-building project by the local government or a new office building for a large company.
3. Electrical engineer
National average salary: $94,949 per year
Primary duties: Electrical engineers design, manufacture, test and maintain electrical systems and equipment like computers and electric motors. An electrical engineer can find work in diverse industries. A medical device company might hire an electrical engineer to work on devices like heart monitors, while a utility company might need an electrical engineer to monitor its generators.
Additional jobs for engineering majors
-
Mechanical engineer
-
Petroleum engineer
-
Aerospace engineer
-
Computer hardware engineer
-
Materials engineer
-
Environmental engineer
-
Chemical engineer
-
Geological engineer
-
Nuclear engineer
-
Biomedical engineer
-
Agricultural engineer
-
Safety engineer
Business administration
A bachelor of science degree in business administration is designed to teach you how to own and operate a successful business. Potential job opportunities for graduates include:
1. Logistician
National average salary: $62,900 per year
Primary duties: Logisticians oversee company supply chains, managing everything from purchasing goods to warehousing them. They can also plan personnel movements. Modern logisticians use special software to keep track of all of the data they need to know.
2. Business manager
National average salary: $68,786 per year
Primary duties: Business managers oversee company operations by managing employees and leading efforts to increase employee productivity and efficiency. Although it may be more common for them to be hired by large businesses, they can work in any industry. Business managers often work closely with company CEOs and owners.
3. Actuary
National average salary: $116,273 per year
Primary duties: An actuary analyzes financial data and attempts to minimize financial risk. They often work with insurance companies helping to determine policy rates. Actuaries use math and statistics to make predictions about unknown future financial situations.
Additional jobs for business administration majors
-
Sales manager
-
Financial manager
-
Corporate executive
-
Financial analyst
-
Accountant
-
Healthcare administrator
-
Advertising executive
-
Market research analyst
-
Business Consultant
-
Insurance underwriter
-
Banker
-
Bookkeeper
How to advance in science jobs
Advancing your career in science may require increasing your technical ability as well as forming new relationships, especially if you’re in a highly-skilled, continually evolving field like computer science or academia. Here are a few specific methods you might use:
-
Further your education. If you work in a setting with rigorous scientific standards like a laboratory or a university, obtaining an advanced degree may qualify you for more advanced positions.
-
Get published. Publishing your research in relevant scientific journals can help you get noticed by leaders in your field if you work in an industry like chemistry or psychology.
-
Find a mentor. Connecting with a more experienced person in your industry can lead to new job opportunities in many science careers.
The career outlook for science jobs
Jobs in science are incredibly diverse, with many industries expected to experience significant growth in the next few years. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for environmental scientists and specialists will grow by 8% by 2029. Below are more science jobs the agency believes will grow:
-
Medical scientists
-
Computer scientists
-
Data scientists
-
Genetic counselors
-
Food scientists
-
Chemical engineers
-
Petroleum engineers
-
Biochemists
I hope you find this article helpful.
