First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates from Oberlin College 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 12 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 77%, Biology graduates from Oberlin College have a higher likelihood (+10%) 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, 83% 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: 69%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from Oberlin College with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Biology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONField Research TechnicianSt. Lazaria Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Jun 2013 - Aug 2013 Conservation and Land Management Intern Chicago Botanic Garden Mar 2014 - Nov 2014 Outdoor Environmental Educator YMCA Camp Colman Feb 2015 - Jun 2015 AmeriCorps Marine Exhibit Educator Port Townsend Marine Science Center Oct 2015 - Aug 2016 Graduate Fellow Oregon State University Sep 2016 - Aug 2022 Education Manager Western Flyer Foundation Dec 2022 - Dec 2023 Education Director Western Flyer Foundation Dec 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGDoctor of Philosophy - PhDOregon State University 2016 - 2022 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From analyzing jobs held by Biology graduates from Oberlin College, it seems that a major theme in their career paths revolves around education, research, and conservation. Many individuals took on teaching roles, like Biology Teacher or Adjunct Instructor, which directly leverage their knowledge gained during their degree. These positions not only apply their biological expertise but also allow them to inspire the next generation of scientists. Additionally, research-oriented roles, such as Research Assistant or Clinical Research Coordinator, are quite prevalent. These jobs harness their scientific skills and contribute to the advancement of biological sciences, showing a strong connection to their education.
However, it's also clear that not all roles directly relate to biology. Many graduates have ventured into positions that are tangentially related, like Student Advisors or marketing roles, where their biology background might come in handy but isn’t the main focus. For instance, jobs in retail or administrative capacities don't typically require in-depth biology knowledge. Overall, while a significant number of graduates remain relevant to their field, showcasing the versatility of a Biology degree, a fair portion seem to drift into roles where biology plays a lesser role. This hints at the degree's broad applicability in various sectors, even those not directly linked to biological sciences.
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 Oberlin College):
It looks like graduates from Oberlin College with a degree in Biology have a pretty diverse range of career trajectories. Many of them start off in education or research-focused roles right after graduation. For instance, several early careers include teaching biology at various high schools or working as research assistants in labs. This shows that they often lean towards careers that keep them connected to the scientific community or allow them to share their knowledge with others. It’s common to see them involved in roles that emphasize environmental conservation or education, which makes sense given the hands-on and inquiry-based nature of their studies. Over the first five years, it appears that many have built on these roles, either moving up within educational institutions or branching into related fields like wildlife conservation, policy analysis, or clinical research.
Looking a little further down the line—like ten years after graduation—many of these alumni have landed more specialized positions or taken on leadership roles, especially in educational settings or research institutions. There are a good number who transitioned into significant roles like conservation biologists or clinical research coordinators. This suggests a solid engagement with the field of biology and related areas, indicating that a biology degree from Oberlin can indeed lead to meaningful and relevant careers. However, there are also several paths that diverged into more unrelated fields, perhaps signifying a wish to explore different interests or to seek opportunities outside of biology. Overall, while there is a healthy mix of success in biology-related jobs, there’s also a spread of experiences that remind us it’s okay for career paths to evolve over time!
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Biology can be pretty challenging, and Oberlin College is no exception. The coursework tends to be rigorous, with a heavy emphasis on both theoretical knowledge and practical lab work. You’ll be diving into complex subjects like genetics, ecology, and microbiology, which can be tough but rewarding if you’re into science. Plus, Oberlin has a reputation for being academically demanding, so you can expect to put in a good amount of time and effort to keep up. Overall, it’s not an “easy A” kind of degree, but if you’re passionate about biology, it can be a fulfilling experience.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Biology.
Looking at these Oberlin College grads, it seems like most of them have taken paths that probably don't lead to sky-high salaries, at least in the early stages of their careers. A lot of them started off in teaching, internships, or roles in conservation and research, which tend to offer solid experience but not always the best pay right out of college. However, some are gradually moving into higher-responsibility positions, like program analysts and education directors, which can bump up their earnings over time. Overall, while none of them are rolling in cash just yet, they have decent opportunities ahead that might lead to better pay as they gain experience.
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 Oberlin College). 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: