First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates from University of Iowa 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Biology graduates from University of Iowa have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) 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, 40% 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: 11%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2017 from University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONSynthesis ScientistIntegrated DNA Technologies May 2018 - Nov 2019 Manufacturing Administrative Specialist Integrated DNA Technologies Nov 2019 - Dec 2020 Licensed Realtor Ruhl&Ruhl REALTORS Jul 2020 - Mar 2021 Managing Partner Multifamily Value Partners 2020 - Present Licensed Real Estate Agent Watts Group Mar 2021 - Present Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Watts Group Dec 2022 - Present 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 career paths of individuals who graduated with a Biology degree from the University of Iowa, a significant pattern emerges. Many graduates have taken on roles that are not deeply rooted in biological science or even remotely relevant. Positions like Administrative Assistant or Office Manager are common, indicating that graduates have often found themselves in administrative roles that don't tap into their biology background. While some roles provide a slight connection to health and biology, such as managing operations in healthcare settings, the relevance is still quite limited since the core duties revolve around organizational tasks rather than applying biological concepts.
However, it's not all disconnected; there are definitely graduates who've fully embraced their biology education in their careers. For example, those who pursued further studies in medicine or chiropractic have found their careers directly aligning with their biology training. Positions like Resident Doctor, Ophthalmologist, and Research Assistant show a clear and strong connection to biological knowledge. Overall, while there are several job paths that branch away from biology, there’s also a notable group that has capitalized on their degree, especially in healthcare and research roles, illustrating the versatile nature of a Biology degree—though the extent of relevance can vary widely from one job to another.
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 Iowa):
When looking at the career trajectories of University of Iowa graduates with degrees in Biology, there's a mixed bag of outcomes. For many of them, the first jobs right after graduating often revolve around medical, research, and healthcare-related positions. For instance, graduates found roles as ophthalmic technicians, patient care advisors, and research assistants early on, which shows that a lot of them are staying connected to the field of biology. Even those who ventured into administrative roles within healthcare facilities, like the Office Manager position at Cardiac Surgery Associates, seem to pivot toward careers that remain relevant to the biological sciences in the long run.
Fast forward five or ten years, and you see a variety of paths taken. Some individuals pivoted toward advanced medical careers, becoming chiropractors or ophthalmologists, which is a solid progression for those wanting to dive deeper into healthcare. Others, however, have taken quite the turn, moving into completely different fields such as real estate or video production, which might imply that their biology degree didn’t lead directly to their current careers. It’s a bit of a mixed picture; while many are thriving in roles that build on their biology knowledge, there's a noticeable chunk of graduates who seem to have drifted into unrelated jobs. This indicates that while a biology degree can provide a good foundation for various careers, it's not a strict pathway, and some grads end up finding success in areas far removed from their field of study.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Biology can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and study habits. At the University of Iowa, you’ll dive into a lot of heavy topics, like genetics, ecology, and microbiology, which can get pretty detailed and complex. If you like science and are willing to put in the work, you can definitely handle it. Just know that it usually involves a fair amount of lab work, research, and sometimes tricky exams, so staying organized and keeping up with the material is key. Overall, it's not the easiest degree out there, but if you're passionate about biology, you might find it more enjoyable than stressful!
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 career paths of these University of Iowa biology grads, it seems like they've landed a pretty mixed bag when it comes to earning potential. The ones who went into healthcare, like the ophthalmologist and the chiropractor, are probably doing quite well since those professions generally pay well once they get established. However, those in more creative roles, like the film producers, might not be raking in the big bucks unless they hit it big, which is a bit of a gamble in that field. On the other hand, roles like the Operations Manager at a healthcare facility and the real estate positions can also bring in decent salaries, especially as they level up in their careers. Overall, it looks like some are on solid financial ground, while others might be struggling a bit more, so it really depends on the field they landed in 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 University of Iowa). 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: