With a skills gap currently existing in STEM subjects, it has become more important than ever to encourage young people to pursue careers in the fields of science, especially girls, who have been shown to still lack confidence in the subject.
For students who are currently studying biology or considering it as an option, there are many exciting career paths that they can take which use the skills and knowledge that they have acquired.
There are many careers with a focus on research and science which require biology as a subject, and here are five potential career paths to consider.
Biochemistry
Biochemists play a key role in the field of science, helping to improve the understanding of living organisms.
As part of their extensive role, biochemists have had a huge impact on a number of areas of modern life including healthcare, agriculture and biotechnology. It is thanks to biochemists that DNA is understood and that many ground-breaking drugs have been created to treat serious conditions.
Biochemists are employed in numerous industries, from pharmaceutical laboratories to the cosmetics industry.
Forensic Science
Thanks to recent technological advances, employment opportunities within the forensic science industry have increased substantially, and police forces are now increasingly relying on the use of skilled forensic techniques to solve serious crimes.
While the media may give a skewed idea of what exactly is involved in the field of forensic science, the work is still extremely interesting and engaging, involving collecting evidence from crime scenes, analysing samples and applying techniques such as DNA profiling, chromatography and mass spectrometry, as well as presenting those findings in court.
Medicine and Dentistry
Medicine is a career path with many options, and while it may not be the easiest or quickest career path to take, it is certainly one of the most essential to society.
Improving people’s lives and even saving them, working as a healthcare professional encompasses everything from working as a GP in a local practice to working as a specialist in a hospital environment.
Whether specialising in critical care, dentistry, psychological therapies or general practice, students who pursue this career path are sure to find their choice rewarding.
Agriculture
While the agricultural sector may not immediately present itself as an obvious choice for biology students, it is an especially appropriate path to take for anyone who is interested in nature.
The agricultural field is exceptionally wide-ranging and covers everything from traditional farming to agricultural science, which involves research into improvements of production methods and treatments for use in veterinary medicine.
Agricultural engineering is yet another discipline with its focus being on the development and design of agricultural vehicles and machinery to increase farming efficiency.
Engineering
With the UK facing a lack of qualified engineers, pursuing a career in this sector is well-advised.
There are numerous jobs within the field of engineering which are well suited to biology students including biological and environmental engineering, which involves working towards the preservation of the Earth’s natural resources.
Alternatively, biomedical engineering is another valid choice, helping to develop innovative improvements in the field of healthcare.
Careers in the sciences are not only worthwhile and rewarding, they are also vital for the future of society, and encouraging students to pursue one of these paths will not only benefit the student themselves, but the country as a whole.
