What can I do with a Biology Degree?

[xNeenax]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hello,

Since the field of pharmacy is getting more and more competitive (also I heard that it was the most competitive in Texas, which is where I live), I am constantly worrying that I won't make it. Plus, I'm very shy so I know I would screw up the interview and lose all of my chances. Unfortunately, I don't have a back up plan yet and I'm about to start my 3rd year of college.
I am a Biology Major and a Psychology minor, what careers can I get with those. I know I can do research and work in labs, but I really don't like working in labs. I read that people how have a bio degree work in zoos and gardens or something and I don't want to do any of that either.
I don't want to become a pharmacy technician either because I didn't even have to go to college to be a tech, so all of my schooling would seem like a waste.

 

[crazybob]

Hello,

Since the field of pharmacy is getting more and more competitive (also I heard that it was the most competitive in Texas, which is where I live), I am constantly worrying that I won't make it. Plus, I'm very shy so I know I would screw up the interview and lose all of my chances. Unfortunately, I don't have a back up plan yet and I'm about to start my 3rd year of college.
I am a Biology Major and a Psychology minor, what careers can I get with those. I know I can do research and work in labs, but I really don't like working in labs. I read that people how have a bio degree work in zoos and gardens or something and I don't want to do any of that either.

Have you ever shadowed a pharmacist or worked in a pharmacy?

Have you ever volunteered with organizations where you got to see patients or meet new people? (This could be your first step towards overcoming being very shy. I used to be very shy too and would have awkward moments in school where I couldn't think of anything to say for 10-15 minutes when I met a classmate at a new school.)

Have you taken the PCAT or considered taking the PCAT?

What's your current GPA? (only if you want to share it)

Have you taken a lot of the common pre-requisites?

PS. Plenty of pharmacy technicians are students in college to go on to other careers or pharmacy school.

 

[R2pharmD2]

Hello,

Since the field of pharmacy is getting more and more competitive (also I heard that it was the most competitive in Texas, which is where I live), I am constantly worrying that I won't make it. Plus, I'm very shy so I know I would screw up the interview and lose all of my chances. Unfortunately, I don't have a back up plan yet and I'm about to start my 3rd year of college.
I am a Biology Major and a Psychology minor, what careers can I get with those. I know I can do research and work in labs, but I really don't like working in labs. I read that people how have a bio degree work in zoos and gardens or something and I don't want to do any of that either.
I don't want to become a pharmacy technician either because I didn't even have to go to college to be a tech, so all of my schooling would seem like a waste.

Besides the options you mentioned, there aren't a heck of a lot of options for bio majors that I'm aware of. The only other one I can think of off the top of my head is teaching.

 

[Swishers]

Man up and get over your shyness. If not, it'll severely limit your options.

 

[xNeenax]

Have you ever shadowed a pharmacist or worked in a pharmacy?

Have you ever volunteered with organizations where you got to see patients or meet new people? (This could be your first step towards overcoming being very shy. I used to be very shy too and would have awkward moments in school where I couldn't think of anything to say for 10-15 minutes when I met a classmate at a new school.)

Have you taken the PCAT or considered taking the PCAT?

What's your current GPA? (only if you want to share it)

Have you taken a lot of the common pre-requisites?

PS. Plenty of pharmacy technicians are students in college to go on to other careers or pharmacy school.

I am finding way to overcome my shyness. I have 60 volunteer hours but I'm volunteering in a very busy hospital, so I don't get to spend much time with the techs and I don't spend any time with the pharmacists. I was hoping to start slow that's why I wanted to volunteer a lot but I feel as if I'm not getting any better. I might take the PTCB test and find a job as a technician but I probably won't have any luck finding a job.

Also, there's this new organization at my college and I joined it knowing it was new to become an officer. I'm going to be the treasurer starting this Fall and through this organization I will be able to volunteer at the clinics, so maybe I'll see some patients. However, that is a big step to where I am know, so I feel that I'm not going to accomplish much.

I'm planning on taking the PCAT in January and I have taken most of the prereqs. As for my GPA it's a 3.4, you're probably going to say that's good and I have nothing to worry about but the average gpa for most pharmacy schools in Texas is a 3.6 or 3.7. Also most people who are pre-pharm are so much better than me academically :/

 

[crazybob]

I am finding way to overcome my shyness. I have 60 volunteer hours but I'm volunteering in a very busy hospital, so I don't get to spend much time with the techs and I don't spend any time with the pharmacists. I was hoping to start slow that's why I wanted to volunteer a lot but I feel as if I'm not getting any better. I might take the PTCB test and find a job as a technician but I probably won't have any luck finding a job.

Also, there's this new organization at my college and I joined it knowing it was new to become an officer. I'm going to be the treasurer starting this Fall and through this organization I will be able to volunteer at the clinics, so maybe I'll see some patients. However, that is a big step to where I am know, so I feel that I'm not going to accomplish much.

I'm planning on taking the PCAT in January and I have taken most of the prereqs. As for my GPA it's a 3.4, you're probably going to say that's good and I have nothing to worry about but the average gpa for most pharmacy schools in Texas is a 3.6 or 3.7. Also most people who are pre-pharm are so much better than me academically :/

If you wanted, you could work towards having more of a leadership position after you feel comfortable with being a treasurer. If you're the one organizing meetings and bringing people together, it will help you boost your confidence and also help with your comfort in talking to other people in your club.

I know schools in Texas are competitive, but just keep working towards your goal and then apply with all you can. If you can get an interview at some of the schools and do well at the interview, there's still a chance.

If you talk to friends who know pharmacists, you could start working at an independent where you could take things slow and take your time learning how things work. Then as you feel more comfortable with things, you can start talking to patients (who will usually be regulars and know the pharmacist and the others at the pharmacy, and your coworkers will know them well too). If you don't know what to talk to them about initially, you could just answer questions they have about medications and then go from there.

As long as you don't take on more than you can handle, it'll just be a matter of time until you're comfortable with talking to most patients.

 

[xNeenax]

If you wanted, you could work towards having more of a leadership position after you feel comfortable with being a treasurer. If you're the one organizing meetings and bringing people together, it will help you boost your confidence and also help with your comfort in talking to other people in your club.

I know schools in Texas are competitive, but just keep working towards your goal and then apply with all you can. If you can get an interview at some of the schools and do well at the interview, there's still a chance.

If you talk to friends who know pharmacists, you could start working at an independent where you could take things slow and take your time learning how things work. Then as you feel more comfortable with things, you can start talking to patients (who will usually be regulars and know the pharmacist and the others at the pharmacy, and your coworkers will know them well too). If you don't know what to talk to them about initially, you could just answer questions they have about medications and then go from there.

As long as you don't take on more than you can handle, it'll just be a matter of time until you're comfortable with talking to most patients.

Thanks, you just boosted my confidence up. Thank you for taking the time to help me. I have another question that has nothing to do with this post. Did you get any recommendation letters from a professor? If so, how did you go about getting them?

 

[crazybob]

Thanks, you just boosted my confidence up. Thank you for taking the time to help me. I have another question that has nothing to do with this post. Did you get any recommendation letters from a professor? If so, how did you go about getting them?

I asked two professors for recommendations. One of them was my instructor for Biochem class and also since he was the faculty sponsor of the pre-pharmacy club where I was the vice president. I asked him in the hall way if he would, and he said to give him the forms and send him an email to remind him.

The other was a chem professor I had for General Chem and also Physical Chem. He was the chair of the chemistry department and also my academic advisor. I think I went into his office and asked him if he would, and gave him the forms.

I went to a fairly small school, so I knew the teachers fairly well and they usually knew my first and last name when I went to see them at their offices, and also in the hallway.

Do you have professors in mind about asking for recommendations?

 

[xNeenax]

I asked two professors for recommendations. One of them was my instructor for Biochem class and also since he was the faculty sponsor of the pre-pharmacy club where I was the vice president. I asked him in the hall way if he would, and he said to give him the forms and send him an email to remind him.

The other was a chem professor I had for General Chem and also Physical Chem. He was the chair of the chemistry department and also my academic advisor. I think I went into his office and asked him if he would, and gave him the forms.

I went to a fairly small school, so I knew the teachers fairly well and they usually knew my first and last name when I went to see them at their offices, and also in the hallway.

Do you have professors in mind about asking for recommendations?

I don't have any in mind. I go to a fairly big school, so I don't have the kind of access to them as you do. I was hoping to get close to one by joining a research group, but they only allow graduate students and very intelligent undergrads. So, I can't think of a way to get to know a professor. And I don't have any reason to see my professors at office hours.

 

[crazybob]

I don't have any in mind. I go to a fairly big school, so I don't have the kind of access to them as you do. I was hoping to get close to one by joining a research group, but they only allow graduate students and very intelligent undergrads. So, I can't think of a way to get to know a professor. And I don't have any reason to see my professors at office hours.

You could make a few. Especially if you have them for class or a lab. Or if you want to ask them if you could do research with them.

If they sponsor any clubs at school, you could ask them about that too.

 

[Tinkerbell22]

well i was going to say become a zoo keeper but then i read your post. lol

i always said being a zookeeper is my backup plan for my biology degree (i also have a degree in biology with a psychology and chemistry minor).

i would say to go on to a PhD program and get on the teaching track to become a college professor, but i don't think that would be fun if you are shy and hate research (i think most universities require their faculty to conduct research).

you could technically switch your major to psychology and do psychology research which might be a lot of 'outside the lab/in the field' stuff (surveys, etc) but that would probably also be bad if you're shy.

idk... 😳

 

[xNeenax]

You could make a few. Especially if you have them for class or a lab. Or if you want to ask them if you could do research with them.

If they sponsor any clubs at school, you could ask them about that too.

I guess the only way is to somehow get into a research group :/
There are usually 200+ students in my classes, so my professors probably wouldn't remember my face x_x And you want to know something funny? My labs usually have like 20 students in it but lab professors don't even show up to their lab courses. They just let the TA do all the work.
I just remembered that I have to taken a few classes at community college, so hopefully I could get some recommendations there.

 

[xNeenax]

well i was going to say become a zoo keeper but then i read your post. lol

i always said being a zookeeper is my backup plan for my biology degree (i also have a degree in biology with a psychology and chemistry minor).

i would say to go on to a PhD program and get on the teaching track to become a college professor, but i don't think that would be fun if you are shy and hate research (i think most universities require their faculty to conduct research).

you could technically switch your major to psychology and do psychology research which might be a lot of 'outside the lab/in the field' stuff (surveys, etc) but that would probably also be bad if you're shy.

idk... 😳

Hmmm.... so it's official I totally wasted my life getting a bio degree.
In my defense, someone told me I had to get a bio degree to do pharmacy, I never heard of just doing a 2-year pre-pharmacy program when I started college....but I should have done some research before hand :/

 

[30Percent]

I worked for a biotech company after I graduated with a biology degree. It depends on your region though. I'm not sure if Texas has biotech companies like the Bay area in CA.

 

[Swishers]

I worked for a biotech company after I graduated with a biology degree. It depends on your region though. I'm not sure if Texas has biotech companies like the Bay area in CA.

How did you get into that? I ask because a couple of my good friends are having trouble getting a job with their Bio degrees. Did you have just a B.S.?

 

[Tinkerbell22]

Hmmm.... so it's official I totally wasted my life getting a bio degree.
In my defense, someone told me I had to get a bio degree to do pharmacy, I never heard of just doing a 2-year pre-pharmacy program when I started college....but I should have done some research before hand :/

I wouldn't say that... I guess what I should have said was that I think you should still apply to professional school. It doesn't have to be pharmacy... you can apply to PA school, PT, nursing, etc.

A lot of people think it is better to get a degree before applying anyway, so there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[30Percent]

How did you get into that? I ask because a couple of my good friends are having trouble getting a job with their Bio degrees. Did you have just a B.S.?

I only have a B.S., but I did a summer internship with the company.

 

[LazyMooch]

If you're not after a healthcare program or teaching, it can get financially... turbulent.

 

[metallideth]

biology is a good major if you're interested in the health care field. you can apply to med school, PA, dental, nursing, PT, etc. just never forget you have a lot of options.

 

[Rouelle]

Unfortunately, it seems like the only thing you are highly qualified to do with a bachelor's degree in any of the basic sciences is apply to a graduate or professional program.

 

[pharmschooler]

Does your school offer a Laboratory Technology/Clinical Lab Sciences major? You might be able to switch into that track. Those graduates tend to be able to find decent jobs in healthcare after graduating...and they typically cover all the med/pharm school prerequisites, too. If you like working in labs, it might be a great major for you.

I imagine you'd be on the right track to switch over, as the real difference between biology and CLS seems to start during the junior year.

 

[xNeenax]

Sorry for asking but what's a biotech company and what do you do there?

 

[xNeenax]

Does your school offer a Laboratory Technology/Clinical Lab Sciences major? You might be able to switch into that track. Those graduates tend to be able to find decent jobs in healthcare after graduating...and they typically cover all the med/pharm school prerequisites, too. If you like working in labs, it might be a great major for you.

I imagine you'd be on the right track to switch over, as the real difference between biology and CLS seems to start during the junior year.

They don't offer that at my school but I wish they did because that would have solved my problem. That's a very useful major.
I guess my only choices are to get some research or laboratory experience to see if I like it or continue my education. :/

 

[pharmschooler]

They don't offer that at my school but I wish they did because that would have solved my problem. That's a very useful major.
I guess my only choices are to get some research or laboratory experience to see if I like it or continue my education. :/

Or you could transfer...some universities even offer CLS online/through a local hospital. I think North Dakota State or the University of North Dakota does this...

 

[Phrozen1]

You could gain employment in a pharmaceutical manufacturing lab, R&D,Quality Control, Microbiology sectors, I just quit a job at a Pharmaceutical manufacturing facility and I have a good friend who is a biology major and has been working as a quality control lab technician!!! I must say that it is in my opinion much less rewarding and fufilling.. I think on average they make around 40-46k a year. And then again you can always go to grad school and jump into research science!!!😀