Why a biology major might not guarantee you the job you’re looking for
In recent years, there has been a sharp uptick in those majoring in STEM-related fields—particularly the field of biology—and a decrease in those pursuing the humanity-related fields. I am inclined to posit that this is, in part, due to an increased importance being placed on acquiring so-called “practical degrees” that will give the individuals requiring that degree the ability to make an above average pay rate in this late-stage-capitalist world. Biology, in particular, seems to be receiving a lot of love from incoming undergraduate students seeking to acquire a job that will provide them with financial security and parental approval.
The issue with this mass-migration to the field of biology for its perceived ease—in comparison to other STEM fields—and wide berth of opportunity is that biology majors will almost certainly have to attend graduate school in order to be viable candidates in the ever-competitive job market. Many students begin their biology undergraduate careers on a pre-medical track and discover that ultimately medical school is not for them, but maintain their biology major, acquire their bachelor’s, and go no further in their education. This is an issue because the job market is not in high demand for undergraduate biology majors. This results in over a quarter of biology student graduates finding jobs outside of the biology field after being unable to access biology-related career paths, or after experiencing burnout and a low desire for acquiring a more advanced degree.
This has left the field of biology in a surplus, allowing for the biology job market to decrease pay rates for those in biology fields because they know if an employee quits due to pay dissatisfaction, they can be easily replaced with a doe-eyed recent graduate. Drops in pay rate for entry-level biology jobs have dropped as much as 23%, which is no statistic to scoff at when many pursue this field for its foretold financial promise.
This means that while biology might seem enticing for those high school juniors and seniors looking into colleges and their different degree programs, I advise you to not completely dismiss the humanities. In modern-day, the humanities are being sought out in job markets that—on the surface—seem totally unrelated for the title of the degree gained in humanities concentrations. Though upon a deeper inspection, it is easy to see how the skills built through pursuing fields in the humanities are potentially more widely applicable than microscope literacy and proficient knowledge of anatomy.
No matter where you work or what job position you hold, being able to properly articulate your arguments, desires, perspectives, and findings in a confident manner is desirable to potential employers. These critical-thinking, public speaking, analysis, and writing, and reading skills instilled through humanities programs are abilities that almost all employers assume college graduates have to some capacity. This means that those able to demonstrate these abilities through the interview process, past experiences, and noted proficiency labeled on a resume, might make a humanities major a better applicant for a job that might initially seem more applicable to a candidate with a more “fitting” degree.
While mom and dad might be at your throat about getting a “good degree” in order to get a “good, well-paying job,” keep in mind that their conception of the job market is rooted in the one that lacked the current positive attitudes surround socio-emotional skills on the job or desirability of critical-thinking and analysis abilities. If you feel that biology is ultimately the right choice for your pursuit of graduate level education—knock your socks off, by all means. Just keep in mind that the job field for biology is not as promising as the packaging seems, and if you feel compelled to study the humanities—try it out; you will be acquiring a degree with more mobility at the undergraduate level and skills that are more widely-used in the job market we now find ourselves in.
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