Hello dreamers, high school is a challenging phase where you must decide "What Next". Unlike the past, today's technological advancements and globalization offer many career choices. It's all about being aware of these opportunities. It is observed that many students face uncertainties when making career decisions after completing their high school education. For instance, numerous students who have studied Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB) as their main subjects are often unaware of options beyond the well-known medical courses such as MBBS, BDS, BPT, and Nursing. Similarly, students with a focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) seeking alternatives to traditional fields like Engineering and Architecture often lack information about other potential career paths.

This issue is not exclusive to science students; it also affects those pursuing studies in Arts and Humanities. Therefore, in the upcoming blog series, the various career opportunities available for different academic disciplines will be explored. In this blog, I will focus on the career options for students who choose Biology as their primary subject, alongside Physics, Chemistry, and English, with optional subjects such as Mathematics or Psychology.

NEET, as a mandatory examination for admission to medical programs, is the largest exam in India in terms of the number of applicants. Consequently, most students who have selected Biology as their primary subject attempt NEET with the aspiration of gaining admission to MBBS, BDS, or other doctoral courses such as BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery), BHMS (Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery), BNYS (Bachelor of Naturopathy & Yogic Sciences), BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine & Surgery), BSMS (Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery), BVSC & AH (Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry), and BPT. For the NEET 2024, 13,15,853 students qualified out of 23,33,162 test takers, indicating that only approximately 56 percent of students were admitted through NEET. This raises the question of what happens to the remaining students. It is important to acknowledge that not all of these students pursue medical colleges. There are numerous alternative options available for those who do not qualify through NEET or did not participate in the examination.Let us examine the various academic paths available. The most popular choices include a Bachelor of Science in Biology-related courses, Pharmacy, and Paramedics. A few students who select Mathematics as an optional subject may also pursue Engineering disciplines such as Biomedical Instrumentation Engineering, Biotechnology Engineering, and Agriculture Engineering. Additionally, creative career opportunities such as Media, Advertising, Design (including Fashion, Leather, Knitwear, Textile, Interior, Accessory, Jewellery, etc.), Journalism, Filmmaking, Photography, and Animation are accessible to all students regardless of their core subjects.

In the images below, I have highlighted some of the most traditional and trending courses for biology students, including those in Paramedics. Let us explore these options together. It is important to note that these represent only a small selection of the programs offered by colleges worldwide today.

Having reviewed the various courses, it is important to consider the career options available to biology students. The field of biology offers a diverse range of career paths across research, healthcare, education, and industry. The specific opportunities accessible are largely influenced by the level of education attained (bachelor's, master's, doctorate) and areas of specialization within biology. Below are some examples categorized for clarity:

Research and Academia:

1.     Research Scientist: This involves conducting original research in various biological fields (e.g., genetics, microbiology, ecology, cell biology). This often requires a PhD and post-doctoral experience.

2.     Postdoctoral Researcher: A temporary research position typically held after completing a PhD, often leading to more permanent research positions.

3.     Professor/Lecturer: Teaching and conducting research at universities or colleges. Requires a PhD and often additional experience.

4.     Research Associate: Supports principal investigators in research projects. Can be at various levels requiring different educational backgrounds.

5. Lab Technician/Assistant: Provides technical support in research labs. A bachelor's degree or associate's degree might suffice.

Healthcare:

1.  Physician (MD/DO): Requires extensive medical school training.

2. Physician Assistant (PA): Provides medical care under the supervision of a physician.

3.  Registered Nurse (RN): Provides direct patient care.

4. Pharmacist: Dispenses medications and provides patient counselling on medication use.

5.  Medical Laboratory Scientist/Technician: Performs laboratory tests and analyses on patient samples.

6.  Genetic Counsellor: Provides information and support to individuals and families regarding genetic conditions.

7.    Biomedical Engineer: Applies engineering principles to solve biological and medical problems.

8.  Physical Therapist: Helps patients recover from injuries and illnesses through exercise and rehabilitation.

9.    Occupational Therapist: Helps patients improve their ability to perform daily tasks.

10. Speech-Language Pathologist: Assesses and treats communication and swallowing disorders.

11.  Radiology Technician: Specialising in medical imaging techniques like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI’s.

12.  Respiratory Therapist: Specialising in respiratory care, assisting patients with breathing difficulties.

13.  Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): The foundational role, responding to emergency calls, providing basic life support, and transporting patients to hospitals. Many private ambulance services and government agencies employ EMTs.

 

Industry:

1.  Biotechnologist: Works in the biotechnology industry, developing and applying biological processes for various applications.

2.     Pharmaceutical Scientist: Develops and tests new drugs and therapies.

3.     Forensic Scientist: Applies biological principles to solve crimes.

4.     Environmental Consultant: Assesses and mitigates environmental impacts.

5.     Science Writer/Journalist: Communicates scientific information to the public.

6.     Science Policy Analyst: Works on science-related policy issues.

7.  Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Ensures compliance with regulations in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.

Education & Outreach:

1.     High School Biology Teacher: Teaches biology to high school students.

2.     Science Communicator: Works to make science more accessible and engaging to the public.

3.   Museum Curator/Educator: Works in museums to educate the public about biology.

 

Other:

1.     Bioinformatics Specialist: Uses computational tools to analyze biological data.

2.     Wildlife Biologist: Studies wildlife populations and their habitats.

3.     Conservation Biologist: Works to protect endangered species and their habitats.

4.     Zoologist/Marine Biologist: Studies animals and their behavior.

5.     Botanist: Studies plants.

6.     Microbiologist: Studies microorganisms.

7.     Quality Control Officer (Food and Agriculture): Ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products throughout the supply chain.

8.     Agricultural Economist: Analysing agricultural policies, market trends, and the economic aspects of farming.

9.     Agrochemical Company Representative: Marketing and selling agrochemicals (pesticides, fertilizers) to farmers.

10.  Food Processing Industry: Working in quality control, production, or research and development in companies processing agricultural products.

11.  Horticulture Manager (Private): Managing orchards, farms, or nurseries.

These are just a few of the numerous career options available for biology students. The critical question that arises is how to choose the most suitable course for you. This is where a Career Counsellor plays a crucial role. They, alongside the student, assess the student's inherent aptitude, interests, and passion for a particular field, guiding them towards the most fitting career options. Career Counsellors utilize various Psychometric Assessments such as the Stream Selector Test, Ideal Career Test, Learning Style Test, Personality Type Test, and Multiple Intelligence Test to determine these parameters. Based on the results and interactions with the student, they conduct a comprehensive 360-degree analysis to identify the best possible career paths. At ASTEC, we offer a holistic approach and provide customized counselling to each student, creating a personalized roadmap tailored to their needs. For more details, kindly visit https://theastec.com. In my forthcoming blog, I will be examining the various course options available for students who have chosen to study Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) during their high school education.

Rachana Kishore (Founder & Chief Counsellor – ASTEC)

Website – https://theastec.com