<p>So after almost 1 1/2 years of college, I think I may be changing my "pre-med" status. I'm considering getting into pharmaceutical/vaccine research for developing new drugs and vaccines. Would I be able to work with a pharmaceutical company right out of school or would I need to go to Grad school for this? Also, I'm currently a Neuroscience major. I'm considering switching over to Immunology. Is that preferable?</p>
<p>Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>You may be able to get an internship or entry job. But you will more than likely eventually need to get an advanced degree.</p>
<p>You’ll need a masters to operate with any level of pseudo-independence at a pharma. A PhD would be preferred.</p>
<p>Both, depending on what you want to do you might find that there is a glass ceiling for non Phds. For instance, you will never rise above director in research and development without a Phd and postdocs but in manufacturing or QC you could with just a masters.</p>
<p>Also, there are plenty of associate scientist jobs out there in R and D for bachelors holders, with the understanding that they are a mid stage in your career.</p>
<p>Get involved in undergraduate research and internships that lean in this direction (vaccines) to see if research (or industry for that matter) is really where you want to be for the rest of your life, before changing majors. You will be a more desirable candidate for pharma jobs with prior experience in a lab. </p>
<p>Immunology makes more sense if you are interested in developing vaccines.</p>