you are here: home | employment guide

Biology Majors Go Job-Hunting
What are my options?
Academic Preparation
Career Services
Special Certifications
Networking
Recommended Readings
Web Sites For Biology Employment

Biology Majors Go Job-Hunting

Deciding on a career is often seen as an overwhelming task, especially for those who are interested in a scientific career. The good news is that you will find that you have many different career opportunities with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology. The not so good news is that it may be difficult to find information about these opportunities. Whatever your job goal you should contact Career Services Center early in your student career (http://careerctr.kennesaw.edu).

The purpose of this guide is to provide you with a very broad view of job hunting - where to look, what resources are available, and how to access it all. There is no single method to success, but several avenues that continually branch into more and more opportunities. The earlier you can start on making your career search, the better. We recommend that you start organizing your search at least one year prior to graduation.

Return to the Table of Contents

What are my options?

Keep in mind that, while there are many career opportunities for those with a B.S. degree in Biology, Biotechnology, there are many more for those with advanced degrees. You might choose to further your education by going to graduate school or professional school. Information about these options will also be presented in this guide.

Return to the Table of Contents

Academic Preparation

As you plan your biology program, you should select courses and experiences such as team research or an internship that make you "stand out from the crowd", because many job applicants with similar backgrounds will compete for a limited number of biology job openings. Your biology advisor is probably the most important person to help you in this planning. He or she can help you plan the classes you take as well as alerting you to additional opportunities such as service learning, jobs, internships, directed studies, and seminars. Your advisor can also provide you with information regarding certificate programs, testing for professional schools, and on-campus interviews. Your advisor will be an important person to write a letter of recommendation for you. In fact many institutions require a letter of recommendation from your advisor. The better this person knows you, the more effectively they will be able to recommend you. If you don’t know who your advisor is, ask the secretary in the biology office.

As you package your KSU program think about what will make you valuable to an employer. When you write your resume, fill out applications and interview for a job, you will need to stress your academic strengths and experiences. What is your expertise? What makes you different? To help you in this task we offer a Portfolio and Professional Development course for biology majors. In this one credit course, you will develop a portfolio illustrating your best work, prepare different types of resumes, and videotape a mock job interview. We encourage all biology majors to participate in this course during their senior year to facilitate their employment search.

Return to the Table of Contents

Career Services

The Career Services Center in Kennesaw Hall, Administration side, Room 2617, offers you a wide variety of services to help you in your academic preparation, career decisions and job search. The following are some of the Center offerings: Co-Op and Internship information, career sessions, resume assistance, job postings, videotaped practice interviews, computer listings of nationwide job openings, a career library, and a web site allowing you to access the service from your home. Visit their website to explore all they have to offer: http://careerctr.kennesaw.edu

Return to the Table of Contents

Special Certifications

Some career choices require special certification. Positions of this nature usually require you to take certain courses, complete an internship, have an undergraduate degree, and pass a specific certification examination.

Currently, our department offers a course of study that qualifies you to take the test for certification as a Cytogenetic Technologist. See Dr. Xueya Hauge (SC 322, 770-423-6163) for further information on this program. We are also beginning to put into place the proper course work that must be completed to allow a student to qualify for the RM/AAS (Registered Microbiologist/American Academy for Microbiologists) certification. See Dr. Jerald Hendrix (SC 332, 770-423-6437) for further information on this developing program.

Some private companies and professional societies also offer special certifications. Check with the specific company or agency you are interested in for further information.

Return to the Table of Contents

Networking

Networking is important in providing you with a variety of friends and colleagues interested in biology. Through networks you can learn about career and job opportunities. Once you are in a network of biologists, you will be surprised at the number of people who know each other. Such a network takes a long time to establish and should be started as soon as possible. A network is not a one-way street and requires you to help and work with others. You might begin networking with other students, friends at places of worship, social friends, people you meet through volunteer work, and KSU biology alumni and teachers. Consider joining a professional organization of biologists. The people that you begin to network with will then introduce you to others. Keep in touch with people that you have established in your network. These contacts will then be there to help you.

 Return to the Table of Contents

Recommended Readings

Return to the Table of Contents

Web Sites For Biology Employment

CAUTION: Web sites are subject to change. Please report any “dead” links to the biowebmaster.

Return to the Table of Contents

BIOLOGY/PHYSICS HOME