What Can I Do With a Major In Biochemistry and Molecular Biology?
UGA Specific Information for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology encompasses the study of all living organisms, including microbes, plants, and animals. The study of biology includes various aspects of life, including basic organization (molecular, cellular, tissues, organs), how organisms function, their roles in the natural environment, how hereditary information is transferred, and development of biotechnology. Biology graduates are broadly trained and well prepared for admission into strong graduate programs in the biological sciences and professional schools (medical, dental, and veterinary). They may also directly assume positions in government, education, industry, or certain technical fields.
Biochemistry is the study of the chemical substances and vital processes occurring in living organisms. Biochemists focus heavily on the role, function, and structure of biomolecules. The study of the chemistry behind biological processes and the synthesis of biologically active molecules are examples of biochemistry.
Molecular biology is the study of molecular underpinnings of the processes of replication, transcription, translation, and cell function. The central dogma of molecular biology where genetic material is transcribed into RNA and then translated into protein, despite being an oversimplified picture of molecular biology, still provides a good starting point for understanding the field. This picture, however, is undergoing revision in light of emerging novel roles for RNA.
Class of 2023 Career Outcomes for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology*
** Includes Self-Employed
Campus Resources
- UGA Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Homepage
- Student Organizations through Involvement Network (try Biochemistry Undergraduate Society, Biochemistry Graduate Student Association)
- Connect with your Career Consultant for help with job searching, resumes, interviewing skills, career options, applying to grad school, and much more
- Connect with your Academic Advisor
- Find research opportunities by reaching out via email to faculty in your department or outside of it based on your research interests; Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) at UGA can help support you (off campus research opportunities: Research Experiences for Undergraduates)
- If you're interested in a healthcare career, connect with the UGA Pre-Health Advising Office to meet your pre-health advisor and for more information
Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations
POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS IN BIOCHEMISTRY + MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Taken from American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Agricultural scientist | Beer and wine maker | Bio-animator and filmmaker | Bioethicist | Bioinformatician | Biological and medical illustrator | Biomedical engineer | Biomedical researcher | Bioremediator | Biostatistician | Biotechnology researcher | Bioterrorism expert | Business administrator | Clinical researcher | Conservation biologist | Criminal investigator | Dietician | Entrepreneur | Environmental attorney | Environmental scientist | Epidemiologist | Food safety expert | Forensic scientist | Genetic counselor | Government health official | Grant administrator | Grant writer | High school teacher | Marine biologist | Museum curator | Museum exhibit preparer | Nurse | Occupational therapist | Optometrist | Patent agent | Patent attorney | Pharmaceutical researcher | Professor | Public health administrator | Public information officer | Public outreach expert | Regulatory affairs expert | Sales and marketing professional | Science policy expert | Science reporter | Science writer/editor | Toxicologist | Veterinarian | Zookeeper
Supplemental Career Research Dashboard
Additional Career Research Resources
O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.
My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.
Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.
Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.
Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.
UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.
Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance.
Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.
Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others. It’s data-powered career exploration for doers like you.
Employment Websites
General
- Handshake (scroll down to the bottom of the page; login with your UGA MyID and password)
- LinkedIn (this popular networking site also has a job board!)
- Idealist (non-profit jobs)
- USAJobs (federal jobs)
Major/Industry Specific
- American Society of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Job Board
- Careers, American Institute of Biological Science
- SCA – Internships; Gap Years (room/board/stipend)
- Environmental Jobs & Careers
- Georgia Bio Job Board (Atlanta-area biotechnology group offering networking events and career resources)
Professional Associations/Resources
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- American Institute of Biological Science
- American Society for Microbiology
- Society of Integrative & Comparative Biology
- Join LinkedIn groups that are relevant to your career interests. To search, select "groups" & type in your keywords.
- Review the groups that professionals in your field of interest have joined & consider joining those as well.
- To login, visit the LinkedIn main page.
Employers/Position Title Reported by Class of 2023 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
| Employer | Position Title(s) |
|---|---|
| Alloy Therapeutics, Inc. | Research Associate | AmeriPro Health | EMT | Analytical Environmental Services, Inc. | Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory Analyst | Athens Gastroenterology Association, PC | Medical Assistant | Augusta University | Research Assistant | Deloitte | Business Technology Solutions Analyst | Emory University | Researcher | Emory University | Research Specialist | Infectious Disease Professionals, LLC | Medical Assistant | Institute of International Education | Fulbright Scholar | National Cancer Institute | Postbaccalaureate Fellow | Piedmont | Medical Assistant | Piedmont | Medical Assistant | Publix Super Markets | Pharmacy Technician | The National Institutes of Health | Research Fellow | Truist | Investment Banking Analyst | University of Georgia | Greenhouse Manager | University of Georgia | Lab Technician |
Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2023 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
| Graduate School | Program(s) |
|---|---|
| Arcadia University | Forensic Science, MS | Augusta University | Medicine, MD | Augusta University | Medicine, MD | Case Western Reserve University | Anesthesia, MS | Emory University | Cancer Biology, PhD | Emory University | Medicine, MD | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine | Osteopathic Medicine, Professional | The Johns Hopkins University | Biotechnology, MS | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Dentistry, Degree Not Specified | University of Colorado Denver | Dental Medicine, DMD | University of Georgia | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, PhD | University of Georgia | Comparative Biomedical Sciences, MS | University of Miami | Medicine, MD | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Dental Surgery, DDS | University of South Florida | Medical Doctor, MD |