What Can I Do With a Major In Cellular Biology?
UGA Specific Information for Cellular Biology
Cell biologists are scientists who try to understand how cells function and interact at the molecular level and extrapolate this knowledge to explain the biology of whole organisms. The major is built on a curriculum of didactic and laboratory classes. These courses provide a solid grounding in general molecular biology as well as deeper insights into cell and developmental biology, infection and immunity, and the molecular mechanisms of disease. Rooted in basic science Cellular Biology classes often explore important new discoveries and concepts in medicine, biotechnology and veterinary sciences.
Approximately half of the Cellular Biology majors are members of a laboratory and conduct their own research. They work side by side with faculty, graduate students and research fellows from all over the world. Cellular Biology students make important discoveries and present their research at regional and national conferences and publish in international science journals. Undergraduate research is an exciting way to learn and understand science first hand and an important asset for application to graduate or medical school. A bachelor’s degree in Cellular Biology prepares students for entry into graduate programs in cell and molecular biology, genetics and biochemistry as well as other areas of modern biology. Cellular Biology majors are also well prepared to enter medical, veterinary, or pharmacy school. Other students may enter a professional career immediately after graduation working as laboratory technicians in the biotechnology industry or in Academia. In addition, other Cellular Biology graduates may pursue careers in teaching, forensic biology, technical writing, sales, or product development for the pharmaceutical industry.
Class of 2023 Career Outcomes for Cellular Biology*
** Includes Self-Employed
Campus Resources
- UGA Department of Cellular Biology Homepage
- Student Organizations through Involvement Network (try Cellular Biology 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
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Finding Research:
- On-Campus: use the UGA Career Guide for templates and guidance on reaching out to faculty to gain research experience, the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) at UGA can also support you in finding research opportunities.
- Off-Campus: Research Experiences for Undergraduates offered through the National Science Foundation and ORISE Fellowships offered through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education are great options. The Career Center can help you prepare your materials for research fellowship applications. You can also search for research internships and full and part-time positions in Handshake.
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Pre-Health Students: The UGA Career Center offers support specifically for you through Pre-Health Appointments, which can be scheduled through Handshake. The Career Center can help you:
- explore roles in healthcare
- prepare application materials
- prepare for interviews
- navigate growth years.
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You can self-enroll in our Career Development Resources eLC for Pre-Health Students for helpful information that you can access from anywhere at any point. If you have questions specifically about GPA, application walkthroughs, and prerequisite course requirements for professional programs, schedule an appointment with the Pre-Professional Advising Office.
Additional UGA Career Center Recommendations
POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS IN CELLULAR 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
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
- Job Board at The American Society for Cell Biology
- Careers in the Biological Sciences
- 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
- The American Society for Cell Biology
- American Institute of Biological Science
- Society of Integrative & Comparative Biology
- O*NET (click on Find Occupations)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook (type in general term for career of interest)
- Career Insider: Vault Guides (under the "Resources" tab and select "Online Resources")
- Candid Career (view professionals speaking about their careers under the "Resources" tab and select "Online Resources")
- My Next Move (search careers with key words)
- ExploreHealthCareers.org (great overview of healthcare-related career fields)
- 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 Cellular 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) |
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Children's Healthcare of Atlanta | Patient Care Technician | Goodman Dermatology, P.C. | Medical Assistant | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) | Postbaccalaureate IRTA Research Fellow | North Atlanta Dermatology | Medical Assistant | Summit Spine & Joint Centers | Medical Assistant | University of Georgia | OIBR Research Analyst | William C McGarity Jr MD PC | Medical Assistant |
Graduate/Professional Schools attended by Class of 2023 Cellular 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) |
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Brown University | Medicine, MD | Case Western Reserve University | Biomedical Sciences Training Program, PhD | Columbia University | Master's Degree | George Washington University | Healthcare Administration, MHA | Medical College of Georgia | Medicine, MD | University of Georgia | Veterinary Medicine, DVM-PhD |