What can you do with a Biochemistry degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst?

First, some facts. Of the Biochemistry graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst 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 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 77%, Biochemistry graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst have a higher likelihood (+10%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 77%
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, 37% 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 Massachusetts Amherst 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 Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Post-Baccalaureate Researcher
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Jul 2019 - Jul 2021
The Post-Baccalaureate Researcher position at the National Institute on Aging directly utilizes skills and knowledge from the Biochemistry degree, particularly in conducting research related to aging and biochemistry.

Bioinformatics Specialist
University of Pennsylvania
Sep 2021 - Present
As a Bioinformatics Specialist at the University of Pennsylvania, the role heavily relies on biochemistry knowledge to analyze biological data, making it highly relevant to the individual's degree.

ABOUT

I graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. At UMass, I also participated in computational biophysics research for my senior thesis. I worked in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology at the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore within the NIH. This work included human and mouse transcriptomics to study how our immune systems change as we age. I am looking forward to continuing work in bioinformatics in Philadelphia. For fun I like to skateboard, read, and play guitar.

What jobs can you get with a Biochemistry degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst?

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


From what I’ve gathered, it looks like a lot of alumni from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Biochemistry have found themselves in some pretty relevant jobs, especially in the medical and research fields. Many of them have pursued careers as doctors, clinical researchers, or laboratory researchers where they apply their biochemistry knowledge daily. For example, roles like Resident Doctor, Medical Doctor, and Research Associate all directly tie back to what they learned in their degree programs. These positions not only leverage their knowledge of biochemistry but also make real-world impacts in health and science, which is awesome!

However, it's not all directly related. Some graduates have taken paths that strayed pretty far from biochemistry, like becoming Android Developers or Customer Service Representatives. These roles don’t really require any of the specialized skills or knowledge that come from a biochemistry education. Overall, while many graduates are actively using their biochemistry skills in relevant fields, it's clear that some diverge into unrelated fields as well. It really highlights how versatile a degree can be, even if the connection to your major isn't always strong in your job!

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 Massachusetts Amherst):

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

When it comes to graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst with a degree in Biochemistry, the career trajectories seem quite diverse but generally encourage involvement in scientific and medical fields. Many graduates find their first jobs as research technicians, clinical research coordinators, or assistants in hospitals and biotech companies, which makes sense given the training they've received. These early positions often set them on a path toward further specialization, with many pursuing roles in research, healthcare, or even moving into advanced studies like medical school or fellowship opportunities. For instance, some graduates have successfully transitioned into roles as medical doctors or within prestigious research centers, which highlights a strong relevance to their degree.

Five to ten years out, it's clear that a significant number of these biochemistry grads have maintained positions that align with their studies, with roles in medical practice, research affiliations, or biotech companies. While there are a few examples of graduates taking paths that veer into areas like software development or even customer service, the majority appear to be carving out successful careers in fields directly related to biochemistry and healthcare. This suggests that a Biochemistry degree from UMass Amherst can open doors to meaningful and rewarding careers, particularly for those who remain committed to the life sciences. Overall, the trajectory looks promising for most graduates in this field!

How hard is a Biochemistry degree from University of Massachusetts Amherst?

Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry can be quite challenging, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst is no exception. The coursework is heavy on both chemistry and biology, so if you're not a fan of rigorous science classes, it might feel overwhelming. Expect a lot of lab work, problem sets, and exams that require a solid grasp of complex concepts. However, if you're super passionate about the subject and willing to put in the effort, it can be really rewarding too. In general, I’d say it’s on the tougher side compared to some other degrees, but it's totally doable if you stay organized and seek help when you need 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 Massachusetts Amherst tend to make good money?

Looking at the careers of these Biochemistry graduates from UMass Amherst, it seems like they have a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. The medical graduates, like the resident doctor and medical doctor, likely pulled in pretty respectable salaries, especially as they progressed in their training. On the other hand, some recent grads, like those working as research assistants or in customer service roles, probably aren’t raking in the dough just yet. Many of the jobs listed, especially early in their careers, are often stepping stones rather than high-paying positions. But as they gain more experience, especially in fields like biotech and healthcare, their earning potential should definitely increase over time! So yeah, it looks like the ones in medicine are probably doing well financially, while others are still working their way up.

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 Massachusetts Amherst). 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