<p>Hey guys. Right now, I'm looking to either direct medicine (doctor, P.A., other doctoral field) or biotechnology research (something involving either environment or medicine) for a career. Here is what I'm planning right now, and I want to get your opinions on it. I'm planning to attend a liberal arts college with a biology major, involving myself in health-care experience and research, along with other extracurricular activities. Then, after I earn my bachelor's degree, I'm planning on either attending a biotech grad school or a medical school. Is that a good plan? Let me know what you think, and thanks for any help!</p>
<p>Doctor: yes, if you can avoid taking out large amounts of debt to get there. You’re better off majoring in a hard science than biology if you want to become a Doctor.</p>
<p>Biotechnology: NO. Look at the other posts on this forum about biology/biotech jobs. To summarize really quickly: biology/biotech jobs are basically non-existent even for PhDs. The jobs that do exist do not pay well, at all (e.g. $50k / year after 7+ years of schooling), and job security is non-existent right now (jobs are being actively outsourced). Additionally, biotech as an industry is really not growing right now so job prospects are dismal for new graduates, and even for those with a few years of work experience. Almost no one, but professors, would recommend going into biotechnology right now.</p>
<p>You can do pre-med alongside any major.</p>
<p>Majoring in biology is very common among pre-meds, but the majority who do not get into medical school flood the job market for biology jobs.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t lump biology and biotechnology into one thing…</p>
<p>Thanks for replying. Just a few questions based on what you guys said,</p>
<p>. What is a hard science? I thought it referred to all sciences.
. What majors would work with someone looking to enter P.A. school?</p>
<p>hard science = Chem, Bio, Physics
soft science = Social Sciences</p>
<p>I would do Biochem. That way you can go for Med, PA, Pharmacy, dental, and numerous others. However, if you do not get into any of the above professional programs be prepared to get a Master’s in a different nonscience subject either accounting/finance or engineering.</p>
<p>Chem or Bio degree or grad degree without a professional degree = poverty.</p>
<p>Ironically, I was considering biochemistry as a major. Would microbiology be on the same par as biochemistry, or would it just be a different variation of a biology degree?</p>
<p>I think biochem would be better at the undergraduate level. You will still be taking microbiology classes, but understanding microbes is all about biochemistry and their metabolisms. Their metabolisms which are often very different from ours defines where and under what conditions they live.</p>
<p>Most of the BS and even MS micro jobs are QC testing and the typical lousy $15/hour contract lab serf jobs. </p>
<p>Also most micro jobs would consider or even prefer biochem majors especially if you took a few extra micro courses.</p>