First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates from University of Alabama at Birmingham 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? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 64%, Biology graduates from University of Alabama at Birmingham have a slightly lower likelihood (-3%) 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, 81% 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: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from University of Alabama at Birmingham with a Bachelors Degree in Biology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONManaged Care PharmacistViva Healthcare, Inc. Jun 2014 - Jul 2014 Pharmacist Extern St. Vincents Hospital Jul 2014 - Aug 2014 Pharmacist Extern UAB Medicine Jan 2015 - Feb 2015 Pharmacist Extern Jefferson County Health Department Feb 2015 - Mar 2015 Pharmacist Extern Citizens Baptist Medical Center Mar 2015 - May 2015 Clinical Pharmacist Brookwood Baptist Health Aug 2016 - Jan 2017 Pharmacist Walmart Pharmacy Sep 2015 - Mar 2017 Clinical Prior Authorization Pharmacist Aetna Oct 2018 - Feb 2019 Walgreens Pharmacist Walgreens Pharmacy Apr 2017 - Feb 2020 MTM Clinical Pharmacist/ Specialty Clinical Programs Pharmacist/ Staff Utilization Pharmacist Humana Oct 2019 - Nov 2021 Clinical Pharmacist SelectRX Nov 2021 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGDoctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)Samford University 2011 - 2015 ABOUTExperienced Pharmacist with a demonstrated history of working in the retail industry and hospital pharmacy. Skilled in Clinical Research, Clinical Pharmacy, Managed Care, Healthcare, Medication Therapy Management, and Microsoft Excel. Strong healthcare services professional with a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from Samford University and Board Certified Geriatrics Pharmacist ( BCGP). |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When you look at the career paths of graduates from the University of Alabama at Birmingham who studied Biology, a pretty mixed bag emerges. Many graduates have moved into healthcare-related roles, such as Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, and Nurses, where the knowledge and skills from their Biology degree are directly applicable. These positions heavily rely on biological principles, anatomy, and medical practices, making them highly relevant. You’ll find that those who specialized in pharmacy are particularly well-suited, as roles like Clinical Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician require a solid grasp of biological concepts and medications.
On the flip side, there are quite a few graduates who ended up in careers that hardly utilize their Biology background. Jobs in sales, administration, and other non-scientific fields appear frequently—such as Sales Associates or Purchasing Managers—which suggests that not every graduate sticks to a strictly scientific route. While some roles may require a faint connection to biology (like understanding health-related products or billing quirks in medical fields), they generally don't demand the in-depth biological knowledge they'd learned in their degree. So, while there’s a strong cohort of graduates making the most of their biology training in relevant fields, a significant number have ventured into less applicable areas, indicating a broader job market that often doesn’t align perfectly with their studies. It’s a real mix, reflecting the diverse pathways that a Biology degree can offer!
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 University of Alabama at Birmingham):
The career trajectories of graduates from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a degree in Biology seem pretty varied, but there are definitely some interesting patterns. A lot of the first jobs after graduation are entry-level positions that often don’t directly align with the science field, like retail sales or administrative roles. For example, one grad started as a sales associate at GNC while they eventually moved on to a career in occupational therapy. This kind of initial job could reflect a need to build experience or maybe even a way to support themselves while they pursue further education or training in their chosen medical fields.
However, looking a bit further down the line, many of these graduates do seem to find their way into relevant biological or healthcare careers after a few years. By 5 or 10 years post-graduation, individuals might have transitioned into roles like occupational therapist, clinical pharmacist, or other specialized healthcare positions. Some have even climbed the ranks into managerial roles or niche areas within healthcare institutions. While there are some instances of people moving into unrelated fields, like sales or insurance, the overall trend suggests that many graduates have successfully carved out meaningful careers that tie back to their biology background. So, for those considering a Biology degree, it looks like there's potential for a rewarding career ahead, especially if you're willing to pursue additional education or training in a specialized field. It’s not always a straight path, but it often leads to fulfilling roles in the healthcare and sciences sector.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham can be a pretty challenging experience, but it really depends on your perspective and background. Generally, a Biology degree involves a lot of tough coursework, especially in subjects like chemistry, genetics, and cellular biology, which can be pretty intensive. UAB's program has a solid reputation, so you'll likely encounter rigorous classes and lab work that require you to stay on top of your studies. If you love science and feel comfortable with the material, it might seem more manageable, but if you’re not that into it or struggle with the hard sciences, it could feel a bit overwhelming. So, while it’s not the absolute hardest degree out there, it definitely requires dedication and a bit of grit to get through!
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 paths of these UAB Biology grads, it seems like they've navigated pretty well for the most part! A lot of them have moved into solid positions in healthcare, pharmacy, and tech, which generally pay decent salaries. For example, the occupational therapists and clinical pharmacists often earn well over $70K, especially with some experience, while others in roles like senior associates or directors can hit six figures with a few promotions under their belt. Of course, some started off with less glam jobs like sales associates, which probably didn’t pay much, but they seemed to work their way up. Overall, while everyone's path is unique and financial success varies, many of these graduates appear to be on track for comfortable salaries in their fields.
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 University of Alabama at Birmingham). 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: