What can you do with a Biochemistry degree from University of California, Berkeley?

First, some facts. Of the Biochemistry graduates from University of California, Berkeley we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 35 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 80%, Biochemistry graduates from University of California, Berkeley have a much higher likelihood (+13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 80%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 71% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Biochemistry graduate.

See the details:

View a random Biochemistry graduate from University of California, Berkeley and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Staff Research Associate
UCSF Medical Center
Mar 2019 - Jan 2020
As a Staff Research Associate at UCSF Medical Center, the role directly applies the biochemistry knowledge from the Bachelor's degree and requires specific scientific skills on a daily basis.

Research Assistant
Gladstone Institutes
Jan 2020 - May 2022
The position of Research Assistant at Gladstone Institutes directly utilizes the principles and techniques learned in biochemistry, making it highly relevant to the individuals degree.

ABOUT

Second year PhD student in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

What jobs can you get with a Biochemistry degree from University of California, Berkeley?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When we look at the types of jobs that graduates from UC Berkeley’s Biochemistry program have landed, it’s pretty clear that many of them skew heavily toward the medical field and research roles. A lot of you will see titles like physician, clinical pharmacist, and various roles in medical residency or research assistantship. These positions demand a strong understanding of biological and chemical principles, which are clearly at the heart of what they studied in biochemistry. For example, physicians and clinical pharmacists regularly apply biochemistry to understand how drugs interact with the body and how to treat medical conditions effectively.

However, not every job listed is directly tied to biochemistry. Some graduates take on roles like data analyst, dental assistant, or even lifeguard, which, while valuable experiences, don’t explicitly leverage the biochemistry knowledge they acquired. In general, though, the overall trend points to a strong relevance of their jobs to biochemistry for most of the graduates. Many end up doing research or applying their knowledge in medical settings, which really highlights the versatility and importance of their degree in the health sciences field. So, for anyone considering a path in biochemistry, it looks like there's a solid chance to work in areas that truly connect to what you study!

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Biochemistry graduates (this is across all Biochemistry graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Berkeley):

What kind of career trajectories do Biochemistry graduates from University of California, Berkeley have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the Biochemistry program at UC Berkeley have generally found themselves on solid career paths, especially in fields related to medicine and scientific research. Many of them land their first jobs as research assistants, lab technicians, or in various healthcare roles shortly after graduating. For instance, graduates from 2019 and onward frequently started as research associates or clinical coordinators, showing a strong inclination towards research and healthcare applications of their biochemistry background. This trend indicates that they leverage their strong foundational knowledge in biochemistry into specialized areas, like pharmacology, pharmacy, or medical assistance, often continuing their education through residencies or further training.

Fast forward five or ten years, and it seems like a decent number of these graduates have transitioned into more advanced positions in hospitals, medical research, or pharmaceutical companies. Roles such as physicians, clinical pharmacists, and researchers at prestigious institutions are quite common among those who graduated earlier, such as those in 2010-2018. This suggests that the biochemistry degree from UC Berkeley effectively equips graduates with not only the necessary scientific acumen but also critical thinking and research skills that are highly valued in the jobs market. However, you do see some individuals veering off into unrelated fields or roles that might not fully utilize their biochemistry training. Overall, though, it looks like a significant portion of these grads are enjoying successful careers that are relevant to their studies, which is pretty encouraging if you're thinking about pursuing a degree in biochemistry!

How hard is a Biochemistry degree from University of California, Berkeley?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at UC Berkeley is definitely on the challenging side, but it’s doable if you’re motivated and willing to put in the effort. This program is packed with tough courses like organic chemistry, molecular biology, and advanced biochemistry, all of which require a solid understanding of math and science. The workload can be pretty heavy, with lots of labs, projects, and exams, so you might find yourself spending long hours studying. However, if you’re genuinely into the subject and ready to engage with the material, it can be a really rewarding experience. Overall, it’s generally considered harder than a lot of other majors, but with dedication and good study habits, you can totally handle it!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry.

Do Biochemistry graduates from University of California, Berkeley tend to make good money?

Based on the jobs listed, it looks like the UC Berkeley biochemistry grads have generally done pretty well for themselves financially, especially those who went into medicine or pharmacy. Graduates who became physicians, pediatricians, or pharmacists typically have higher earning potential, and they often land good salaries after their residency or training. Even those in research roles tend to earn decent wages, especially if they stay in established institutions. Some earlier grads are climbing the ladder into leadership roles, which points to solid career growth. However, some graduates have taken on roles like tutoring, lifeguarding, or non-profit positions that probably don't pay as much, especially early on. So, overall, it seems like the majority of these grads can look forward to making decent money, but it really depends on the specific path they chose after graduation.

What buzzwords do Biochemistry graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry (this is across all Biochemistry graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of California, Berkeley). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Biochemistry?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry (ordered by the average relevance score of their Biochemistry graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Penn State University 86 16
The Ohio State University 85 13
Georgia Institute of Technology 85 10
University of California San Diego 84 10
University of California, Santa Cruz 83 20
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 81 12
Binghamton University 81 10
University of California, Berkeley 80 35
Northeastern University 80 16
University of Nebraska-Lincoln 79 14
University of Massachusetts Amherst 77 16
Stony Brook University 76 13
University of California, Davis 75 34
North Carolina State University 74 11
Appalachian State University 73 10
Virginia Tech 73 18
University of Washington 71 51
University of Wisconsin-Madison 71 25
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 71 24
University of South Florida 70 17
University of California, Los Angeles 70 32
University of Michigan 70 16
San Francisco State University 70 14
Arizona State University 69 27
University of Florida 69 10
University of Arizona 69 16
Missouri State University 68 11
University of Colorado Boulder 66 15
University of California, Riverside 65 18
Boston University 65 10
Towson University 64 14
Boston College 63 13
Kennesaw State University 61 11
University of Oklahoma 61 11
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 60 14
Clemson University 60 13
The University of Texas at Austin 59 36
University of Connecticut 59 15
Temple University 58 10
The University of Texas at Dallas 56 10
University of Tennessee, Knoxville 49 10