Microbiology Career Guide
Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Academic Resources
Explore our microbiology 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.
Career Resources
Unlock career potential in Microbiology! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Menu of Experiences
Sample Microbiology Student 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.
Annis Water Institute
Charles River Laboratories
Corewell Health
GVSU - Undergraduate Research
Holland Hospital
Kent County Health Department
MPI Research
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
NxGen MDx
Wayne State University
Join A Student Org
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
Cell and Molecular Biology Club
Chemistry Club
Wildlife Society
Soil and Water Conservation Club
Genetic Counseling Club
Pre: vet, med, pharm, opt, PA, dental, nursing
Women in STEM Fields
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
Medical Terminology
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.
Mircobiology Study Abroad Options
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 microbiology students.
Undergraduate Scholar Engagement
The Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE) serves students interested in pursuing academic and creative experiences and projects outside the classroom.
Their website includes opportunities for undergraduate research and scholarship.
Microbiology Career Spotlights
Microbiology Spotlight
There are not any Microbiology Spotlight at this time.
Where Alumni Have Landed
- Microbiologist- Matrix Sciences
- R & D Technician II- Amway
- Microbiologist- DSC Laboratories, Inc
- Microbiologist- Perrigo
- Laboratory Assistant- Quest Diagnostics
- Microbiology Lab Assistant- Aerotek
- Flow Cytometry Specialist- Van Andel Institute
- Microbiology Technician- Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing
- QC Lab Analyst for Microbiology Allergens- Mead Johnson Nutrition
- Medical Laboratory Scientist- Corewell Health
- Laboratory Analyst- Pfizer
- Laboratory Analyst- Zoetis
Attend Events
Career Community - Science and Research
GVSU Fall 2026 Career and Internship Fair
October 13, 2026 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Fall Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni of...
Graduate School Fair 2026
October 21, 2026 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Explore your future at the annual GVSU Graduate School Fair hosted by the GVSU Career Center on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 12pm - 2pm in the Henry Hall Atrium on the Allendale...
State of Michigan Information Session & Networking Event
October 28, 2026 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Did you know the State of Michigan is the largest employer in the state? And did you know that applying for a position with the State of Michigan can look a little different from a typical job application? Join...
Community, Connections, and Careers in Northern Michigan
October 29, 2026 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Connect with leading employers from the greater Traverse City area to explore internships, entry-level positions, and career opportunities across a variety of industries. Learn what makes Northern...
Careers in a Lab
November 16, 2026 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Join us to explore part-time and full-time job opportunities in the Lab Sciences field! This event provides students the chance to hear from various employers in the Lab Sciences industry. You'll...
Consider joining the Science and Research Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs
Students with a microbiology degree may continue on to a graduate program. Here are some examples of programs students have pursued:
- Veterinarian School
- Medical School
- Professional Science Master’s Program (Biostatistics)
- Biology
- Public Health
- Physician Assistant
- Genetics
- Marine Biology
- Medical Science