First, some facts. Of the Biology graduates from William & Mary 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 19 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 76%, Biology graduates from William & Mary have a higher likelihood (+9%) 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, 68% 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: 50%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from William & Mary with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Biology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONData AnalystItron, Inc. Nov 2019 - 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 jobs held by graduates from William & Mary who studied Biology, it seems many have pursued careers that either directly or indirectly align with their degree. A significant number of individuals have found roles in healthcare settings, like Physical Therapists and Medical Assistants, where knowledge of human biology and anatomy is crucial. These positions utilize the principles learned during their coursework and apply them in practical, real-world contexts, making them highly relevant to their Biology degrees. On the other hand, there are also many who veered into education, teaching biological concepts at various levels, which again ties back to their academic background. In these roles, they get to share their knowledge and passion for the subject with students, further emphasizing the connection to their studies.
However, not everyone with a Biology degree is working in biology-centric jobs. Some have ventured into roles that have little to do with their major, like marketing, retail management, or event planning. While certain skills—like analytical thinking and research abilities—can be beneficial in these positions, the day-to-day tasks often don't require a specific understanding of biological principles. This mix reflects a broader trend where graduates of any degree might take diverse paths that don't strictly match their academic focus. Overall, while many graduates from William & Mary are applying their biology knowledge in relevant fields, a notable portion has found success in areas that are less directly tied to their studies. It's a reminder that your degree can open many doors, even outside your primary field of study!
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 William & Mary):
Judging by the career trajectories of William & Mary graduates who studied Biology, it seems like a lot of them are finding solid footing in fields closely related to their degree. For example, many of those who graduated in the early 2010s transitioned smoothly into healthcare professions like physical therapy and pharmacy, starting off with roles such as technicians and interns and then moving into more established positions as licensed professionals. Five to ten years later, we see them making significant advancements in their careers, taking on roles like Clinical Professor, Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist, and Bioinformatics Principal Scientist—definitely exciting and relevant paths for someone with a Biology background.
On the flip side, there are some grads who ended up in jobs that might not relate directly to Biology at all. A few ventured into education or even marketing roles, which, while interesting, might not use their science knowledge as much as one would hope. For instance, some started as teachers or project managers in various sectors, which could be seen as straying from the core concepts they learned during their biology studies. So, it looks like overall, those with a clear goal related to healthcare or research tend to advance well in their careers, while others explore different paths that may not leverage their Biology degree. It’s a mixed bag, but most graduates seem to find a niche that fits their interests and skills within the broader spectrum of biology-related fields.
Getting a Bachelor's degree in Biology at William & Mary can be pretty challenging, but it's definitely doable if you stay organized and committed. The coursework is often rigorous, covering a wide range of topics like genetics, ecology, and cellular biology, so you'll need to be ready for a mix of lectures, labs, and a good amount of studying. While some students find certain parts of it easier, like maybe if they have a strong interest in the subject or prior background knowledge, others might struggle with the more complex concepts or the volume of information you have to memorize. Overall, it’s about average in terms of difficulty for a science degree, but if you have a passion for biology and are willing to put in the work, you'll likely find it rewarding too!
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 William & Mary Biology grads, it seems like they’ve been carving out some decent paths, although the money varies quite a bit. Those who went into physical therapy or pharmacy have likely hit some good salaries, especially after gaining experience—like the Physical Therapist and Ambulatory Care Clinical Pharmacist. On the other hand, some roles like education or entry-level positions in marketing and research seem to pay less at the start, which is pretty common. Also, fresh graduates just starting out might not be raking it in right away, especially with internships or teaching roles that often don’t pay as much. Overall, there are definitely opportunities for solid income, especially as they gain experience, but it looks like it might take a bit of time for some of them to get where they want financially.
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 William & Mary). 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: