First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates from University of South Florida 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? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 56%, Biology graduates from University of South Florida have a much lower likelihood (-11%) 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, 41% 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 2011 from University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONQA Laboratory TechnicianKerry Jun 2011 - Mar 2012 Associate Scientist Alere Inc. Sep 2012 - May 2014 Senior Medical Technologist Chemistry Logan Laboratories Jun 2014 - Present Research Chemist Surgery Partners, Inc Dec 2015 - Present Laboratory Supervisor-Logan Labs Tampa Surgery Partners, Inc Sep 2018 - Present ABOUTI am an ambitious and adaptable clinical chemist currently residing in the Tampa Bay Area. I specialize in HPLC - Tandem Mass Spectrometry. I have experience in optimizing compounds and creating HPLC/MS methods from the ground up. I excel at instrument troubleshooting, maintenance, method development and validation, QC monitoring, and chemistry preparation. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the jobs held by people who graduated with a Biology degree from the University of South Florida, it's clear that many of them have gone into roles that relate directly to the biological sciences. A significant number of grads have landed positions in healthcare, such as Medical Assistants, Physician Assistants, and Resident Doctors, where their biology background is essential for understanding patient care. Additionally, roles in laboratories, like Medical Technologist and Research Chemist, also heavily utilize biological concepts, showcasing that a biology degree can lead seamlessly into hands-on science and medical fields.
However, not all graduates have pursued paths directly tied to biology. Some found themselves in roles like Sales Associates, Program Coordinators, or various administrative positions, which often lean more towards management or business responsibilities rather than biology application. This hints at a divergence where a degree in Biology doesn't always dictate a career in biology-related fields. While many jobs do indeed tap into the biological knowledge gained during their studies, a fair number of graduates end up in roles that don't require their biology expertise on a daily basis. It's a mixed bag, but for those passionate about biology, there are definitely rewarding opportunities out there that align well with their education!
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 South Florida):
Looking through the career trajectories of Biology graduates from the University of South Florida, it seems there’s a pretty solid mix of outcomes depending on when they graduated. Many early-career professionals often land roles directly related to the field—like lab technicians and research assistants—right after graduation. For instance, graduates from 2011 to 2016 often started with roles that provided hands-on lab experience or medical roles, which is great for building relevant skills right away. A few have even moved on to advanced positions like becoming a resident doctor or a Physician Assistant, which does show that some are finding pathways leading to significant careers in healthcare and research.
However, as we look at around 5 to 10 years post-graduation, the picture starts to change a bit. While some graduates do stick to biology-focused careers like conservation or medical fields, others seem to veer off into unrelated areas such as management or sales. A few have even opened their own businesses or taken on teaching roles, which can be great but definitely stray from the traditional biology-related career paths. So, it seems like while a decent number of USF Biology grads do find solid jobs in healthcare or scientific research, there’s also a fair number who pivot to completely different fields over time. It’s a mixed bag, really, and that just shows the variety of opportunities (and challenges) that come with a Biology degree.
A Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of South Florida (or really at most places) has its challenges, but it's not impossible to handle if you're interested in the subject. You can expect a mix of lectures, labs, and coursework that cover everything from genetics to ecology. Some classes can be pretty intense, especially the lab components where you'll be doing actual experiments and getting hands-on experience. It’s definitely more demanding than some other majors, like general studies, but if you have a genuine passion for science and you're willing to put in the effort, it can be manageable and totally rewarding. So, if you like biology and are ready to dive into some tough material, you'll probably find it to be a solid challenge rather than overwhelming.
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 USF biology grads and their job journeys, it seems like they've generally landed in decent roles, but the paycheck probably varies a lot. The ones who made it into healthcare, like doctors and physician assistants, are likely raking in a good salary, especially compared to entry-level positions in research or teaching where the pay might not be as high. Some folks, like those working as QA specialists or in sales, might make solid money, but it’s hard to tell since different companies and regions pay differently. Overall, while some of these grads are definitely on the path to earning well, others might find themselves a bit strapped if they got stuck in lower-paying entry-level jobs for too long. It sounds like a mixed bag, which is pretty common in the job market!
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 South Florida). 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: