First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates from New Mexico State University 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 51%, Biology graduates from New Mexico State University have a much lower likelihood (-16%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 61% 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 Biology graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 14%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Biology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONDNA Analyst 2GENERAL GENETICS CORPORATION May 2013 - Sep 2014 Firearm Sales Associate Walmart Jul 2016 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Science - MSUniversity of Strathclyde 2014 - 2015 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job paths of people who graduated with a Biology degree from New Mexico State University, it's pretty clear that they’ve landed in a mix of roles. Many have ended up in positions that aren't directly tied to biology, like teaching, administrative work, or even working in sales. For example, roles like School Psychologist or administrative positions didn’t really tap into their biology expertise. Others have taken on jobs in quality assurance or sanitation, which might involve some biological concepts, but the core responsibilities often veer more towards operational tasks rather than deep scientific work.
However, there are some shining examples of graduates diving into biology-rich careers. Positions like Research Technician, Quality Control Microbiologist, and Molecular Biologist directly apply the knowledge gained from their biology education. A notable trend is that some graduates have turned to healthcare roles, such as Medical Assistants or Pharmacists, where their biology background proves invaluable. Despite the apparent lack of biology relevance in many careers, those who pursued paths like research or clinical roles have found a great fit, making those degrees genuinely count in the real world!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Biology graduates (this is across all Biology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to New Mexico State University):
When you look at the career paths of graduates from New Mexico State University's Biology program, you see a mixed bag of outcomes. Many graduates land jobs in relevant fields right after they finish their degrees. For instance, roles like QA Lab Technician and Quality Control Microbiologist show that some students start off in quality assurance and laboratory settings, which are quite applicable to a Biology degree. However, there are also quite a few students who seem to drift into unrelated areas, like teaching or administrative roles, especially within a few years post-graduation. For example, some alumni end up as long-term substitute teachers or even in positions like administrative assistants—those jobs aren’t always directly tied to their Biology background.
Fast forward about five to ten years, and you start to see varying levels of success. Some alumni transition into higher-level roles in relevant fields, like becoming QA Managers or Molecular Biologists, indicating a solid upward trajectory. However, others continue to hold roles that feel a bit disconnected from their academic training, like teachers or administrative personnel. There’s also a noticeable number of graduates who take roles in the medical field, like pharmacists and medical assistants, which can be fulfilling but may indicate a detour from traditional Biology paths. Overall, while some students manage to stick closely to their field of study, there’s a notable variety in career choices, and not everyone follows a path directly related to their degree in Biology. So, if you’re thinking about what to do with a Biology degree, keep your options open—it can lead to some great opportunities, but it may also lead you in unexpected directions!
So, honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, whether at New Mexico State University or elsewhere, can be a mixed bag. It’s definitely not the easiest degree out there—you’ll have to dive into a lot of complex subjects like genetics, ecology, and biochemistry, which can get pretty challenging. There will be some tough labs and lots of memorization involved, especially when it comes to understanding cells, organisms, and ecosystems. That said, if you’re passionate about biology and stay organized with your studies, you can definitely handle it! Just be prepared to put in some work and manage your time well.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Biology.
Looking at the job histories of these New Mexico State University biology grads, it seems like they've had a pretty mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some, like the QA Manager at Eagle Foods and the Molecular Biologist at the San Antonio River Authority, likely earn a solid salary based on their positions—especially in roles that require specialized skills like quality assurance and biology work. On the flip side, others seem to have bounced around a lot between internships, teaching jobs, and entry-level positions, which typically don’t pay as well. For instance, the person who started as a transcriptionist and moved into teaching might be earning a bit less than their counterparts in lab-based roles. So, while some are probably doing quite well, others might still be figuring out their financial footing as they navigate their careers post-graduation.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Biology (this is across all Biology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to New Mexico State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Biology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Biology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: