
Careers
Explore your passion
The life sciences delve into the basic organization and processes of life (microbes, plants and animals) at scales ranging from molecules to ecosystems and in time from picoseconds to millennia. This includes investigations into how hereditary information is transferred and organisms evolve, the interplay of organisms and their environments, and how these factors interact in health and disease. Students interested in a degree in life sciences can pursue a variety of careers ranging such as doctor, winery microbiologist, educator, researcher, environmental consultant, illustrator, business systems analyst, genetic counselor, and more.
What can you do with a life science degree?
Curious what you do with a life science degree?
Curious what you do with a life science degree? Here is a list of some occupations that SOLS alumni have held. This list is not finite and we encourage you to contact our Career and Professional Development Services advising office to discuss even more options.
Have an event idea or want to partner on a future event?,” can you update the language to say “Contact Career and Internships Advisor Ivy Esquibel.
- Agribusiness Production Specialist
- Analytical Lab Technician
- Anesthesiologist
- Assistant Clinical Lab Supervisor
- Assistant Professor of Biology
- Atmospheric Scientist
- Beekeeper
- Bioinformatics Analyst
- Biologist Environmental Specialist
- Biology Professor
- Biology Teacher
- Biomed Computation
- Data Analyst
- Bioreagents Specialist
- Blood Bank Supervisor
- Botanist
- Business Systems Analyst
- Cancer Clinical Research Coordinator
- Cancer Cyto Genetics Specialist
- Cardiologist
- Care Coordinator
- Chemical Patent Technology Specialist
- Chemotherapy RN
- Chief Agriculture Officer
- Chief Research Wildlife Biologist
- Chief Scientific Officer
- Consulting Biologist
- Cosmetic Chemist
- Cyber Geneticist
- Cytogenetic Technologist
- Cytotechnologist
- Data Analyst
- Director for Testing Quality Standards
- Director of National Wildlife Refuge
- Ecologist
- Educational Advisor
- Emergency Medical Scribe
- Endangered Species Biologist
- Energy Specialist
- Environmental Health Specialist
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Health Specialist
- Environmental Quality Assurance Officer
- Fertility Specialist
- Field Botanist
- Field Engineer
- Field Marketing Specialist
- Food Technologist
- Forensic Scientist
- Forest Planner
- Game Warden
- Genetic Counselor
- Geneticist
- Health Inspector
- Health Promotion Consultant
- High Altitude Descent Technician
- HIV Specialist
- Horticulturist
- Hospital Administrator Hydrologist
- Illustrator
- Industrial Hygienist/Ergonomist
- Lab Director
- Lab Manager
- Lab Scientist
- Lawyer
- Manager Fish Hatchery
- Forest Service Manager
- Microbiologist
- Molecular Neurobiologist
- Museum Director
- Music Therapist
- National Sales Manager
- Natural Resource Manager
- Ophthalmic Photographer
- Paraeducator
- Paramedic
- Pathologist
- Pediatrician
- Pharmacist
- Phlebotomist
- Photographer
- Pollution Prevention Program Manager
- Public Health Scientist
- Quality Assurance Microbiologist
- Science Teacher
- Science Writer
- Senior Phlebotomist
- Surgeon
- Taxidermist
- Veterinarian
- Videographer
- Winery Microbiologist
- X-Ray Technician
- Zookeeper
Connect and build skills through professional organizations
It is never too early to start building your professional network and knowledge by getting involved in professional organizations related to the life sciences or other personal interests.

ASU Career resources for life science majors
'Science of ...' career exploration events
Once a semester, the undergraduate advising office organizes events where students can explore unexpected pathways utilizing their life science education and skill set. Click below to view the recordings from past events:
- Science of Law (PDF)
- Science of Wine
- Science of Beer
- Science of Business Part 1
- Science of Naturopathic Medicine
- Science of Business Part 2
- Science of Making an Impact (exploring how to combine an interest in service and science through national service programs, such as the Peace Corps)
Have an event idea or want to partner on a future event? Contact Career and Internship Leads Christine Ditter and Ivy Esquibel.
Career services
The Career and Professional Development Services office can help you plan your career and develop job-search skills:
- Explore career pathways
- Create a winning resume
- Connect with ASU alumni and other professionals through the ASU Mentor Network
- Find jobs and internships through Handshake
- Prepare for graduate or professional school
- Practice interview skills
- Workshops and career-related events
The career advising team is available for the rest of your life as you move through different phases of your career. They are located on every campus as well as through ASU Online.
Outside affiliations for life science majors
Free membership with AZBio
As a student in the School of Life Sciences, you are eligible for a free Life Sciences Student membership with the Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio). You can get involved by:
- Signing up for the In the Loop newsletter
- Becoming a member (for free)
Organizations for underrepresented groups
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society
- Association for Women In Science
- Center for Advancement of Hispanic in Science and Engineering Education
- Ecological Society of America: Seeds
- Minorities in Agricultural, Natural Resources and Related Sciences
- Society for Advancing Chicanos & Native Americans in Science
Life science professional organizations
We encourage you to explore professional associations related to your career and personal interests to connect and learn about new job opening and internship opportunities. Many organizations offer discounted or free memberships for students, as well as student clubs on campuses.
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Bar Association Section of Science and Technology or Section of Intellectual Property Law
- American Institute of Biological Sciences
- American Intellectual Property Law Association
- American Medical Writers Association
- American Society of Agronomy
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- American Society for Microbiology
- American Medical Association
- American Society of Plant Biologists
- Animal Behavior Society
- Association of Earth Science Editors
- Association of Medical Illustrators
- Association of Zoos & Aquariums
- Association of University Technology Managers
- Biotechnology Innovation Organization
- Bureau of Reclamation
- Center for Neighborhood Technology
- Coalition of State Bioscience Institutes
- Council for the Advancement of Science Writing
- Council of Science Editors
- Ecological Society of America
- Entomological Society of America
- Friends of the Earth
- Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
- Institute of Food Technologies
- International Association of Science, Technical, and Medical Publishers
- International Society for Behavioral Ecology
- International Society of Photosynthesis Research
- Mycological Society of America
- National Association of Biology Teachers
- National Association of Environmental Professionals
- National Association of Science Writers
- National Park Service
- National Science Teachers Association
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission
- Patent and Trademark Office Society
- Smithsonian Research Centers
- Society for Conservation Biology
- Society for Ecological Restoration
- Society of Environmental Journalists
- Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Society for Mathematical Biology
- Society for Neuroscience
- Society for Technical Communication
- U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U. S. Forest Service
- U. S. Geological Survey
- Wilderness Society