What can you do with a Biochemistry degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison?

First, some facts. Of the Biochemistry graduates from University of Wisconsin-Madison 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 25 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Biochemistry graduates from University of Wisconsin-Madison have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 71%
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, 68% 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 Wisconsin-Madison and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Process Engineer
Applied Materials
Mar 2024 - Present
As a Process Engineer at Applied Materials, the position likely requires an understanding of biochemical processes, materials science, and engineering principles that are directly related to knowledge gained from a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry.

ABOUT

-- Ph.D. candidate in the University of California-Davis. Expected graduation time: March 2024-- Skilled in Material characterization (SEM/EDS/XRD/XPS), Spectroscopy (NMR/EPR/XAS), and Protein engineering (FPLC/molecular cloning/Gel electrophoresis)-- Manager of Helium recovery and liquefaction system in the UC Davis Chemistry department. NMR teaching assistant. (Instrumentation, NMR training, routine maintenance and performance check, and cryogen handling)-- Strong research professional as a Ph.D. candidate focused on catalytic activity and structural characterization of biogenic manganese oxides as water oxidation catalysts (Catalysis, surface chemistry, thin film preparation and characterization, electrochemistry, battery) -- A great amount of collaborative work experience. (Teamwork, communication skills)

What jobs can you get with a Biochemistry degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison?

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


From the analysis of LinkedIn profiles of University of Wisconsin-Madison Biochemistry graduates, it seems like a decent mix of jobs was pursued, but a fair number of these roles stray from pure biochemistry applications. Many individuals found their way into positions like research scientists, lab technicians, and roles at biotech companies, which heavily rely on the skills learned in their biochemistry degree. Positions like Associate Biochemist or Scientist at PPD showcase how graduates are utilizing their background in biochemistry, diving deep into research and practical applications in laboratory settings.

However, there are also quite a number of individuals who ventured into business, project management, and regulatory roles where biochemistry knowledge isn’t the main focus. For instance, many worked in leadership development programs at Medtronic or took on marketing positions that don't require extensive biochemistry expertise. While some of these roles leverage critical thinking or analytical skills gained from their studies, it's clear that not all job paths are directly relevant to biochemistry. Overall, while a good chunk of graduates are working in fields closely tied to their degree, many others have branched off into areas that are more removed from the core biochemistry principles they initially learned.

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 Wisconsin-Madison):

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

Graduates with a degree in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison tend to pursue diverse career paths, often leveraging their educational background in scientific and healthcare-related fields. Many students land their first jobs in roles like research assistants, chemists, or laboratory technicians shortly after graduation, which allows them to gain valuable experience in scientific methodologies and techniques. For instance, roles at organizations such as UAS Laboratories and Marshfield Clinic reflect common entry-level positions that align well with their studies. These initial jobs usually set them up for more specialized positions within healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or research over the years.

As graduates progress through their careers, the trajectories become more varied. Many move into higher-level research roles, managerial positions, or even positions in medical fields such as physicians or pharmacy residents, showing a clear linkage to their educational background. More senior roles in companies like Medtronic and PPD illustrate that some graduates successfully navigate their way into leadership and strategic positions, which suggests that a Biochemistry degree can open many doors. However, a few graduates have ventured into unrelated fields like real estate or software engineering, which indicates that while many find relevant positions, some may drift away from direct applications of their degree over time. Overall, it seems that most alumni have managed to establish successful, relevant careers in the science and healthcare sectors after graduating from UW-Madison.

How hard is a Biochemistry degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at University of Wisconsin-Madison or anywhere else is generally considered pretty challenging. You’re diving into some heavy science stuff, like organic chemistry, molecular biology, and advanced lab techniques, which can be tough for a lot of students. The coursework is rigorous, and you’ll have to juggle labs and lectures, plus some pretty intensive studying to really grasp the material. It’s definitely not a walk in the park, so if you're not super passionate about the subject, it can feel overwhelming at times. But if you love science and are willing to put in the effort, it can also be really rewarding!

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 Wisconsin-Madison tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these Biochemistry grads from UW-Madison, it seems like most of them have landed pretty decent jobs, especially considering they graduated in fields that often lead to stable careers in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and research. For instance, some folks are now working in high-level roles at major companies like Medtronic and Takeda, which generally pay well. There’s one graduate who became a physician, which usually means a pretty solid paycheck, and others have climbed up to senior scientist or management positions. On the other hand, you have a few who took roles like teaching or research assistantships that might not have huge paychecks, especially when starting out. Overall, though, it's looking like a lot of these graduates are doing pretty well financially, giving a good return on their college investment!

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 Wisconsin-Madison). 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