Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Genetics graduates 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 76 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Genetics graduates have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as 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, 53% 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 Genetics graduate.
See the details:
|
Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelors Degree in Genetics. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAssociate Research Sp UW School of Medicine & Public Health Jul 2016 - Aug 2018 Research Scientist MedStar Health Nov 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGDoctor of Philosophy - PhDMedical University of South Carolina 2018 - 2023 ABOUTHello! I am a research scientist working with indigenous populations to study and track cardiovascular disease and outcomes. I am incredibly passionate about community based research and helping underserved communities to improve public health. Previously, I did cardiovascular research studying scar formation, cellular death, and cell-cell interactions in a pre-clinical model of myocardial infarction. My previous work includes gene therapy delivery in pre-clinical ocular disease models. I am passionate about scientific research and discovering new treatments to improve patient outcomes. I am an excellent collaborator and scientific communicator with experience presenting to scientific and lay audiences. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking through the different job paths that individuals with a degree in Genetics have taken, you can see a pretty clear split between roles that directly connect to genetics and those that don't at all. While many graduates have found success in research and medical settings where their training is directly applicable, there’s also a significant number who have veered off into unrelated fields, such as software engineering, marketing, and even claims management. This brings us to the question of how relevant their chosen careers are to the field of Genetics.
The most common types of jobs that those with Genetics degrees seem to pursue are in medical and research settings. Positions like genetic counselor, laboratory technician, and research assistant manifest that direct connection to genetics. It makes sense—these roles are where their education truly shines, especially when working with genetic testing, molecular biology, or patient care that requires an understanding of genetic disorders. However, there are quite a few instances where graduates took on roles that were surprisingly distant from their academic background. For instance, jobs in software engineering or retail management showcase a detour from the core competencies found in a Genetics curriculum. In these cases, while graduates may have acquired valuable skills, they're certainly not utilizing their genetics training effectively.
Ultimately, if you look at the data objectively, it’s clear that while there are many jobs tied closely to the field of Genetics, there’s also a notable trend of individuals gravitating towards roles that may not leverage their specialized knowledge at all. It raises an interesting point about what graduates choose to do with their degrees and why they might feel compelled to pursue careers outside their field of study. It could simply be that opportunities in science and healthcare outnumber those in genetics-specific roles, or perhaps some folks just discover that their passions lie elsewhere, even after investing years in studying Genetics. So while a Genetics degree opens up a wealth of possibilities, it's evident that the relevance of the roles individual graduates take can vary widely. A decent number of them do end up in fitting positions, but plenty head into areas that don't make much use of what they learned in school.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Genetics graduates:
When you look at the career trajectories of genetics graduates, there seems to be a mix of outcomes, and it's pretty fascinating! Right out of college, many of these grads dive into jobs that are somewhat related to their field. For example, roles like laboratory technicians, researchers, and medical technologists dominate the early years, showcasing their academic backgrounds and skillsets. It's clear that many graduates seem to secure positions in scientific roles or the medical field within just a couple of years post-graduation. You see options in biomedical research, clinical settings, and various laboratory positions. That's pretty promising, right? It suggests that their degrees are helping them land relevant work fairly quickly, which is encouraging for anyone considering genetics as a major.
However, fast forward five to ten years later, and the picture can look quite different for some people. While some individuals continue flourishing in their careers, like moving up the ranks to senior roles or diversifying into management and specialized medical positions, others seem to drift into less directly related fields. For instance, a few graduates end up in roles that don’t utilize their genetics training, like in marketing or administrative positions. That perspective can be a bit disheartening, as it hints that the initial excitement of entering the workforce may lead to career paths that stray far from the intended field of genetics. So, while there are definitely success stories worth celebrating, there are also glimpses of individuals who might not be striking gold in career relevance.
In conclusion, the trajectory for genetics graduates generally starts on a high note, with many finding jobs that fit their education quite well. However, as years go by, the alignment with genetics becomes more hit or miss. For students like you considering this path, it’s essential to think about not just what you’ll do right out of college, but how your choices and opportunities might shape your career later on. Staying connected to your field through networking, internships, and continuous education can make a significant difference in ensuring those initial positions lead to fulfilling careers in genetics.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Genetics can be pretty challenging, honestly. It's definitely on the harder side compared to some other majors because you’re diving into complex topics like molecular biology, biochemistry, and even statistical genetics. You’ll have to get comfortable with a lot of science and math, and there are usually demanding lab work and projects involved, which can add to the workload. That said, if you’re super interested in the subject and willing to put in the effort, it can also be super rewarding and fascinating, so it really depends on your passion for the topic!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Genetics.
It looks like some of these folks are definitely cruising along with pretty solid careers, especially the ones involved in medical fields or high-tech positions like software engineering. For instance, the guy who graduated from Clemson University in 2013 has climbed his way up to a Senior Software Engineer role, which usually comes with a good paycheck. Similarly, the University of Georgia grad who is a physician has likely been raking it in since, you know, doctors usually have pretty hefty salaries. However, not everyone is on the same path—some of the more entry-level positions in research or laboratory settings might not be making bank just yet.
Overall, it seems like some of these graduates are set for a comfortable life, especially those in healthcare or tech, which are well-known for good earning potential. Others, especially those just starting or lingering in lower pay tech jobs, might still be working their way up the ladder to more lucrative salaries. But hey, every career has its ups and downs, and there's plenty of room for growth if these grads keep focusing on gaining experience and moving up in their careers!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Genetics. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Genetics (ordered by the average relevance score of their Genetics graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 University of Wisconsin-Madison
|
76 | 14 |