Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Explore our biology academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
Curriculum Guide
Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Unlock career potential in Biology! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Sample Biology Internship Sites
Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.
Outdoor Discovery Center
Macatawa Greenway
Annis Water Institute
MPI Research
St. Joseph Mercy Health
Michigan Nature Association
John Ball Zoo
Oceans Research
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
West Michigan Environmental Action Council
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
Biology Club
Student Environmental Coalition
Wildlife Society
Soil and Water Conservation Club
Beekeeper Club
Genetic Counseling Club
Pre: vet, med, med/Ph.D., pharm, opt, PA, dental, nursing
Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills
Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.
Grant Writing
Research
Public speaking
GIS Certificate
Sustainable City and Regional Planning Certificate
Sustainable Food Systems Certificate
CENA
Phlebotomy
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Biology Study Abroad Options
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
Imagine learning about the delicate marine ecosystems of coral reefs while living on the coast of Australia, taking classes about the ecology of the rainforest and its exotic inhabitants in Costa Rica, or conducting field work in the Sahara or a national park in Kenya. Study abroad opens up opportunities around the world for biology students to get a firsthand look at ecosystems drastically different than our own as well as access to global natural resource management styles.
Undergraduate Scholar Engagement
Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.
The Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE) provides opportunities for undergraduate research and scholarship.
After struggling to find a job in my field in the area, I ended up finding a position at a private optometry practice as an optometric and lens technician. I have since decided to continue my education and apply to optometry school, so I am currently fini
After graduating, I entered the world of automation distribution working with machine builders and manufacturers selling automated products and systems. After 7 years I started as a Business Development Manager for Feyen Zylstra..
I loved working as a student laboratory assistant in the biology department throughout my undergraduate career; I had the best boss and the faculty and staff were all great to work with.
My favorite Grand Valley memory has to be Toast with T.Haas. It was the last item in the GV picture bucket list to get a photo with T. Haas. I found it wonderful that a president of a college took the time to congratulate all of his graduates.
August 23, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Consider joining the STEM Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Students with a biology degree may continue on to a graduate program. Here are some examples of programs students have pursued:
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.
