Careers

Cortland biology majors often obtain employment in a variety of fields immediately after graduation.  Many others have success in gaining admission to quality graduate or professional schools around the country, such as Cornell University, Duke University, Harvard Medical School, Roswell Park Cancer Center, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Health Sciences Center at Syracuse, and the University of North Carolina.

Some careers of our graduates include: Biology Teacher, College Professor, Environmental Biologist, Marine Biologist, Medical Laboratory Technician, Molecular Biologist, Physical Therapist, Physician, Physician Assistant, Veterinarian

Graduating with a degree in Biomedical Sciences will open a wide range of career paths.  Depending on the specific courses you select, you will be well prepared for either continuing your education in one of the clinical medical fields, or to attend graduate school in fields such as molecular biology.  Or you will be well equipped for careers in industries such as in medical technology or pharmaceutical companies.  Or you will be ready to undertake positions such as research assistant in a large variety of research organizations–public and private.  —  Clearly there are a large number of different paths that are available to you.

There is also great news about the numbers of career opportunities.  Information comes from the Department of Labor Statistics indicating, “Much of the basic biological research done in recent years has resulted in new knowledge [and] biological and medical scientists will be needed to take this knowledge to the next stage.”  In fact, Peter Gwynne, a former science editor of Newsweek said, “Hands-on experience in a laboratory is becoming almost mandatory for positions that involve lab work.  [Biotechnology firms] want those candidates to show evidence that they are familiar with the workings of a research laboratory by having worked on a high-level project at their university or an appropriate industrial internship.”  The Biomedical Sciences major at SUNY Cortland will do all of that for you, preparing you for a rewarding and fulfilling career.

Finally, we know that career decisions are tough ones and are not usually made at one moment.  Because of this, we have faculty advisors who will not only assist you in selecting courses that meet your interests, but help you think about what direction is best for you.  They will also make sure that you meet the requirements of professional schools and potential employers when the time comes for you to look beyond your years at Cortland.

Students graduating with a major in Conservation Biology from SUNY Cortland will be able to enter the job market directly or continue their studies in graduate school.  Biodiversity conservation careers are listed as “hot” jobs, with a need for well-trained field biologists.  The number of people employed nationally in environmental areas totals 1 to 3 million, and conservation biologists are “in demand.”  Many work outdoors where the dress is casual. Employers include private companies and federal and state governments, while the not-for-profit conservation sector is providing an increasing number of jobs. Graduates from our major will be well prepared to pursue graduate degrees at the nation’s leading universities. Approximately 75 American universities have established graduate programs in conservation biology.

Specific jobs include: Ecologist, Field Biologist, Naturalist, Wildlife Ecologist, Research Assistant, Interpretive Biologist, Environmental Lands Administrator, GIS Analyst, Naturalist, Conservation Steward, Environmental Educator

Employers include: Federal and State Agencies, Fish and Wildlife, Environmental Conservation and Protection, Museums, Parks, and Nature Reserves, National and International Non-governmental Organizations (NGO’s), Environmental Consulting Firms