First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates from University of Michigan 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Biology graduates from University of Michigan 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, 64% 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: 94%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONResidentSwedish Jun 2017 - Jul 2018 General Dental Practitioner Robert Rando, DDS PC Jul 2018 - Present General Dental Practitioner OAK VALLEY DENTAL ASSOCIATES, P.C. Jul 2018 - Present Clinical Instructor University of Michigan School of Dentistry Sep 2018 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGD.D.S.University of Michigan School of Dentistry 2013 - 2017 ABOUTI am a general dentist practicing part time in Ann Arbor, MI at Oak Valley Dental Associates, part time in Jackson, MI with Robert Rando, DDS, and part time at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in clinical education. I enjoy the variety that my practice brings, and love spending time to educate patients about what's going on in their mouths. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the job landscape for people who graduated with a Biology degree from the University of Michigan, you'll notice a mixed bag of career paths, but some common themes do emerge. A significant number of graduates have gravitated towards roles in healthcare, such as Pediatric Residents, Medical Assistants, and General Dental Practitioners. These positions heavily rely on biological knowledge and the skills learned during their studies, demonstrating a clear connection to their education. On the opposite end, there are many who found themselves in roles completely detached from biology, like Marketing Managers, Data Entry Clerks, or various positions at consulting firms like EY. These roles focus more on management, sales, or IT and don’t really tap into the biological sciences at all.
Overall, while several graduates have clearly used their Biology degrees in meaningful ways—particularly within healthcare and laboratory settings—others have taken a more indirect route, applying only bits of their biological training in fields like project management or marketing. It's a bit of a mixed bag; while many are staying close to biology, a significant chunk is veering off into roles that are less related. If you're passionate about biology and thinking of your own career path, it's important to consider how directly you want your job to connect back to what you studied in school!
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 Michigan):
Graduates with a degree in Biology from the University of Michigan seem to have quite diverse career trajectories. For many of them, their first jobs after graduation often lean toward administrative roles or positions that involve some element of health care. For instance, individual profiles show that recent graduates began as administrative assistants or educational roles before moving into more specialized fields like medicine or biotechnology. A good number of alumni have pursued careers in healthcare, with some advancing to medical residency and even specialized positions like pediatric hospitalist. This suggests that many students do find relevant work that utilizes their biology backgrounds fairly quickly after graduation.
Looking at where they end up five to ten years later, it seems like those who started in research or healthcare have continued to advance in those fields. Some have gone on to become senior researchers, doctors, or even lab managers. However, there are also examples of graduates who transitioned into less biology-specific roles, such as project management or marketing. This diversity indicates that while a lot of graduates are successful in finding meaningful careers in science and health, there are those whose paths diverge into other sectors. Overall, many graduates do find careers that are relevant to their studies, although the landscape is varied with some choosing unrelated fields along the way.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Michigan can be pretty challenging, but it’s not impossible! You’ll dive deep into concepts that are both fascinating and complex, like genetics, ecology, and cellular biology, which means you'll have to stay on top of your studying and really engage with the material. There are lots of labs and group projects, which can be fun but also a lot of work. Overall, it’s definitely a rigorous program, maybe a bit tougher than average, but if you’re really interested in the subject, it can also be super rewarding! Just be prepared to put in the effort, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Biology.
So, when you look at the job paths of these University of Michigan biology grads, it seems like some of them are definitely cashing in while others are still working their way up the ladder. For instance, the grad from 2010 who climbed the ranks at EY is probably raking in a good salary now, especially as an Associate Director—EY is a major consulting firm, and their pay can be pretty sweet. On the flip side, you’ve got some folks in teaching or smaller roles in healthcare, like the recent grads who are still in entry-level positions or working as veterinary assistants. Those gigs might not be bringing in huge bucks right away, but it’s all about experience, right? Overall, there’s a mixed bag here—some are likely doing well financially, while others may still be in the grind, but the future could be bright for them!
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 Michigan). 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: