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| Pursuing Opportunities Outside of Life Science |
A biology degree can provide a sound basis for a career outside of life sciences. While students often inquire about careers outside of the life sciences, they are frequently puzzled as to how to pursue those careers. To aid students I have prepared a list of factors that will likely increase the likelihood of success. (The list is not in any particular order of importance or effectiveness. They are simply ideas for your consideration.)
I am available to help discuss these strategies as they apply to your specific situation. Call Joey Freeman at 542-8794 or 542-1691, email at jfreeman@uga.edu, or drop by Room 411 in Biological Sciences.
Graduate Study. Obviously some professions such as law require additional study beyond the undergraduate level. The biology degree can provide the undergraduate foundation for a variety of careers in college teaching. However, almost always, a doctorate is required. Other fields such as business may not require graduate study but more schooling may help a biology major pursuing a business career.
Double Majors/Minors. Wise use of double majors/minors can help make a student more attractive for careers outside of the life sciences. A double major/minor can indicate to employers a variety of interests, flexibility, and openness to learning new things.
Developing a Specific Skill. Specific skills outside of the field of biology could open new possibilities. For example, computer aptitude may become more relevant to a career than any specific degree. I know a local small businessman who began as a college student to tint car windows for his friends. Now he has a flourishing window tinting business.
Think Like an Entrepreneur—See Opportunity. An entrepreneur does not necessarily think in career in terms of job or degree. He sees needs that need to be met and devises profitable organizations/methods to meet them. In the entrepreneurial world success in addressing needs is often much more important that a specific degree.
Job Experience Outside Life Sciences. For example if you had a summer job in a computer consulting firm, this experience could expand your options. If you were effective teaching swimming classes this experience may prepare you for a career in recreation and parks. Temp positions in a variety of different settings may help you explore diverse opportunities.
Focus on Jobs/Careers that do not Require a Specific Major. There are a variety of careers that often do not require a specific degree. Certain types of sales, retail, restaurant, hospitality, travel, event planning may not require a specific degree. In addition other occupations such as real estate may be available after taking a course and receiving certification.
Being Effective in Whatever You do—Getting Results. Employers, no matter what the field, are impressed by excellence. This is why those with extremely high GPA’s are often able to choose from a variety of far-flung options. However, excellence is not limited to GPA. For example success in fundraising for a club or organization may open doors as may athletic success or community activities.
Learning From Everyone You Meet. The more people you know and with whom you can find common ground the more career options will be available. Developing a variety of interests and the ability to talk with others about topics of interest to them is a key to unlocking careers outside the confines of a degree. Career is often more about people than degree or even expertise.
Connect with Others With Common Interests. For example if you are interested in bicycling and you participate in races on the weekends you will meet people from a variety of careers. If you are a member of a national bicycling organization you will have the opportunity of relating to bicyclists from all over the nation. With the internet and email it is easy to contact others with similar interests.
Focus on Careers that Value Personal or Intangible Characteristics More than A Specific Degree. For a few of you, personal or intangible characteristics can play a far more important role than the degree. For example actors and models can have any degree or no degree at all. Speaking personally as a massage therapist, much of my success stems from the physiological structure of my hands.
Focus on Family-Owned Business. If your father owns a bank, for example, your major will make little difference in entering the banking profession. Family-owned businesses are a large component of the American economy within which degree is a secondary qualification.
Being Able to Articulate the Transferable Essence of the Biology Major. To unlock new opportunities it often helps to be able to articulate the transferable essence of the biology major i.e. those skills, knowledge, and personal characteristics that you develop while pursuing your studies. To use a simple example any science discipline will cultivate a degree of analytical skills that could be relevant in other fields. If you are aware of those skills AND can describe specific examples to illustrate you sometimes can convince skeptical employers. As many of you know, I work with students in doing just this by helping devise “Tell me about yourself” statements.
Do Not Think of Yourself as “Just a Biology Major. You need to see that your biology degree is completely unique to you because it truly is. Your biology degree is unique because it occurs within with your unique life experiences, hopes, tragedies, work experiences, extracurricular activities, and family history. Seeing how your degree fits into your unique life context can have the practical result of increasing your career options within and outside the life sciences. Does this sound a little abstract? Just give me a call and we will see the practical result of developing a holistic perspective of your degree. |
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