Careers in life sciences open up many job opportunities within the fields of agriculture, biology, genetics, horticulture and medicine. The foundations of a life science career involve studying living organisms and life processes while working towards a degree at accredited schools. With a life sciences degree, graduates can expect to find diverse career opportunities, responsibilities and outcomes for success.
Employment Opportunities
Based on individual interests, programs in life sciences provide students with numerous concentration pathways. Specializations are offered in areas like agricultural management, environmental science, health careers and research. Based on these preferences and the degree track chosen, life science graduates can find entry-level positions in a variety of job settings as biologists, food science technicians, environmentalists, health practitioners, or researchers in public health and scientific organizations.
Career Advancement
Advancement opportunities for careers in this field depend upon the degree and specialization. An associate’s degree is acceptable for many entry-level positions. However, other types of jobs may require bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees. Often, employers will fund further educational opportunities for current employees who demonstrate initiative. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median pay across the life sciences’ field ranges between approximately $34,000-$106,000 per year depending on level of education and area of specialization. The most rapid advancement for life science careers are currently found within the medical industry.
Cutting Edge Research
Lab technicians who perform analytical research and diagnostics have many important job responsibilities. For example, as part of a health care science team, technicians may prepare lab specimens, work with various forms of embedding molds for tissue samples, complete histological tissue analysis, and write toxicology reports. Given the importance of this work, life science workers must always obtain and use appropriate lab materials and apply lab techniques properly for correct diagnosis of pathologies.
Community Contributions
Few careers offer as much back to the community as that of a life scientist. Almost every industry is affected by those who work within the field. Businesses are held accountable for sustainability of resources that are evaluated and managed by environmentalists. Medical research is driven by lab technicians and health practitioners with life science degrees. Food growers and processing plants hire nutritionists and biologists to oversee pathogen controls to protect the food supply. In these ways and more, life sciences’ workers contribute their skills to keep communities safe and prosperous.
If job satisfaction is a key to happiness, then a career in life sciences would be a great choice. First, work can be tailored to suit personal interests. Second, a variety of degree options make it easy to get started in the field and make advancements. And finally, employees improve their communities through research and service across a variety of settings. With these expectations, a meaningful career awaits those with a degree in life sciences.
