What Can I Do With a Major In Microbiology?

• Microbiology Department at UGA homepage
• Student Organizations through Involvement Network (try Microbiology Graduate Student Association, American Society For Microbiology Student Chapter)
• 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

• 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.

• 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.

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.

CAREER PATHS IN MICROBIOLOGY

Taken from American Society for Microbiology

BACHELOR'S DEGREE

Food, agricultural, or environmental laboratory scientist/technologist - Performs established, well-validated tests on water, food, agricultural, and environmental samples to detect different types of microbes. These professionals have to be precise and pay attention to detail so that test results are accurate. They may also participate in reporting test results to others outside of the lab.

Public health, medical, or veterinary laboratory scientist/technologist - Performs established, well-validated tests on human and animal samples to detect disease-causing microbes. Technologist certification may be required or preferred.

Research associate - A key player on research teams, who provides technical support to ongoing research projects. A research associate executes experiments designed by more senior researchers. He/she may be assigned to a single research project or to a set of related techniques that are used across projects in the lab. For example, in research laboratories that use live cell cultures, it is common to have a research associate who's job is to maintain the cultures.

Quality assurance/control scientist - Performs tests on products, such as measuring microbe contaminants, to ensure the products meet safety and quality standards.

Biosafety specialist - Inspects laboratories and related facilities to ensure that both the space and the practices of those using the space adhere to state and federal regulations for safety, occupational and environmental health. For example, he/she might inspect a laboratory and issue a citation if there is evidence of food in the laboratory space. Acts as a resource for colleagues seeking guidance on occupational or environmental health concerns. Provides safety training to laboratory personnel.

MASTER'S DEGREE OR PHD

Clinical or research laboratory manager - Manages day to day activities in a variety of laboratories. Trains laboratory personnel in experimental techniques, maintains lab inventories and equipment, supervises junior staff (technicians, technologists, and assistants/associates). Clinical laboratory manager positions typically require certification.

Biosafety officer - Plans, develops, and manages biosafety programs. These programs typically include providing appropriate training for laboratory personnel, assessing biosafety risks of particular projects, inspecting laboratories for compliance with biosafety standards, responding to biosafety emergencies, and making recommendations to improve safety and environmental and occupational health.

Instructor/ laboratory coordinator - Teaches classroom and/or laboratory courses at community colleges or primarily undergraduate colleges and universities. Participates in course development, faculty meetings, accreditation processes, and advises student

Research scientist - A senior member of a research laboratory who helps write grant proposals, designs and carries out experiments, analyzes data, and publishes the results. Also trains students and laboratory personnel.

University/college professor - Heads a research laboratory, teaches undergraduate and/or graduate students, trains and mentors students and postdoctoral fellows who are doing research, serves on university/college committees.

Consultant - Works either freelance or as part of a consulting firm. Prepares reports on the state of scientific fields, companies in a particular market, or emerging issues in science and advises client organizations, such as businesses or foundations.

Clinical laboratory director - Head of a clinical laboratory. Consults with healthcare providers, evaluates and implements new diagnostic tests or testing procedures, maintains laboratory accreditation, oversees overall laboratory operation.

Research director - Leads a research or research & development team either at a company or at a government agency. Determines direction of the program and directs efforts of research personnel.

Administrator at a university/college - Has responsibility for a particular set of academic departments (dean) or an aspect of the administration such as admissions (vice president). Typically, administrators act as executive officers and do not teach or conduct research.

Corporate executive - Oversees part or all of a company. Typically no longer does research, but guides overall company strategy and determines what products are brought to market.

Science advisor/administrator in government - Leads regulatory and surveillance programs concerned with product safety and public health. Makes recommendations that influence laws, regulations, and public policy.

• 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. 

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 for Microbiology
• Careers, American Institute of Biological Science
• SCA – Internships; Gap Years (room/board/stipend)
• Top USA Jobs.Com-Microbiology
• Georgia Bio Job Board (Atlanta-area biotechnology group offering networking events and career resources)

• American Society For Microbiology
• American Institute of Biological Science
• Society of Integrative & Comparative Biology
• The Oceanography Society
• 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)

LINKEDIN

• 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.