Cell and Molecular Biology Career Guide

Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths

CMB Academic Resources

Explore Cell and Molecular Biology academic resources designed to support your academic goals!

Curriculum Guide

CMB Department

CLAS Advising Center

What Can I Do With This Major?

 

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.

CMB Career Resources

Unlock career potential in Cell and Molecular Biology! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.

Career Assessment - PathwayU

Jobs via Handshake

CMB Career Opportunities

Career Communities


Menu of Experiences

Sample CMB Internship Sites

Internships provide an environment for you to gain hands-on, supervised experience. You'll apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment while boosting your resume! Past internship sites include:

More Info on Internships

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!

Student Organizations

Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills

Developing relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider elective courses and certificates that pair with their major to gain additional skills.

Great Electives to Consider

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.

Civic Engagement Center

CMB Study Abroad

Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.

The best time for CMB students to go abroad tends to be early in their college careers, when gen eds and more basic science classes are still available.  Internships, especially during summers, could also be a great way to boost your science resume in preparation for a career or graduate school.

CMB Study Abroad

Explore Internships Abroad

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.

Additionally, these opportunities are specific to CMB:

Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE)


Cell and Molecular Biology Career Spotlights

Cell and Molecular Biology

Emily David '18 Spotlight

Emily David '18

Having the opportunity to learn more about my favorite subjects on one campus was so special. I will never forget how thankful I felt to be able to live the dream of pursuing both dance and biology.

Mike Michalski '18 Spotlight

Mike Michalski '18

I was working late in Kindschi Hall on pouring an agarose gel for electrophoresis but I had mistakenly poured the gel too thick. I remember just laughing with my classmates because I'd review the progress hour after hour and nothing would change.

Madison Spratt '19 Spotlight

Madison Spratt '19

Late night Orgo study sessions, making friends who I'm still close with today in lab, taking courses that pushed me out of my STEM comfort zone, and the feeling of community that came from being part of a small major.

Joshua Lee '13 Spotlight

Joshua Lee '13

One of my favorite memories was meeting and interacting with the residents on my floor. I enjoyed getting to know them and helping them as they started their journey at Grand Valley.

Lauren Fennema '22 Spotlight

Lauren Fennema '22

There are way too many to list! One of my favorite memories at GVSU is having the opportunity to present my research at the Investiture Student Showcase for President Mantella's inauguration.

View More Cell and Molecular Biology

Where Alumni Have Landed

Professional Positions

  • Research Development Laboratory Technician – Ranir
  • Research Associate – Van Andel Institute
  • Clinical Research Assistant – START Midwest at The Cancer and Hematology Centers of West Michigan
  • Learning Facilitator – Consumers Energy
  • Quality Control – Zoetis
  • Account Manager – Novogue Corporation
  • Assistant Chemistry Lab Technician – Heat Transfer International
  • Quality Assurance Supervisor – Boars Head
  • Scientist – Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories
  • General Manager and Director of Brewing Operations – Perrin Brewing
  • Production Business Analyst – Agropur
  • Quality Assurance Specialist – Starbucks
  • Data Analyst – Genomenon
  • Scientific Writer - Inotiv
  • Clinical Trials Coordinator - Foundation for Vision Research
  • Medical Science Liaison - Trinity Health
  • Forensic Biologist - Front Range DNA Consulting LLC
  • Research Assistant - Thomas Jefferson University
  • Forensic Scientist - DNA Unit, Michigan State Police
  • Food Safety Inspector - Michigan Department of Agricultural and Rural Development
  • Research Quality Coordinator - Cancer & Hematology Center

 

CMB Alumni video

Alumni-in-Residence video:

David Diekema B.S. in Cell & Molecular Biology and M.S. in Forensic Science (emphasis in DNA analysis)


Attend Events

There are no upcoming Career Community- STEM at this time

View More Career Community- STEM

Consider joining the STEM Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!


Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs

Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to an accelerated bachelor's/master's program at GVSU and obtain both a BS and an MS in Cell and Molecular Biology within an accelerated time frame. Earn a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree for less money and time.

The Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology is designed to produce outstanding graduates, and is the study of the biochemical, biophysical, and genetic processes in cells. The Cell and Molecular Biology M.S. P.S.M. program is part of Grand Rapids’ only Professional Science Master's Degree program, and prepares students in the important and dynamic fields of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biotechnology and Biomedical research.

Where Alumni Have Landed - Graduate and Professional Programs:

  • Graduate Programs in Research: PhD, MS, Professional Science Masters
  • Graduate Programs in Clinical Health: Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Nursing
  • Professional schools: Medical (MD/DO or MD/PhD), Optometry (OD), Dental (DDS), Veterinary (DVM)

Discover More

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Watch videos from professionals in the field

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Career Center Resources

Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.  



Page last modified July 29, 2024