What can you do with a Genetics degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison?

First, some facts. Of the Genetics graduates from University of Wisconsin-Madison 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? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 76%, Genetics graduates from University of Wisconsin-Madison have a higher likelihood (+9%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 76%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

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 Genetics graduate.

See the details:

View a random Genetics graduate from University of Wisconsin-Madison and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2018 from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Genetics. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Research Intern
University of Wisconsin-Madison
May 2018 - Jun 2020
The position of Research Intern at the University of Wisconsin-Madison directly applies genetics knowledge and research skills gained from the Bachelor of Science in Genetics, making it highly relevant.

ABOUT

I'm currently pursuing my PhD at Northwestern University studying regeneration biology in Christian Petersen's Lab. Our work centers around studying full-body regeneration in two species of regenerative worms: Schmidtea mediterranea and Hofstenia miamia. Other than regeneration, my scientific interests include development, genetics, and evolution, as well as the biochemical and molecular techniques we use to answer questions in these disciplines.

What jobs can you get with a Genetics degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


From the profiles of individuals who graduated with a degree in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it’s pretty clear that a lot of them have landed roles closely tied to genetics and genetic counseling. Many graduates have taken on positions like Genetic Counselors, Research Assistants, and various internships in genetic laboratories or hospitals. These roles definitely leverage their educational background, involving hands-on work with genetic data, patient counseling, or laboratory research that studies genetic traits and disorders. You can really see the path of those who pursued patient-oriented careers within healthcare settings, particularly in genetic counseling, which has a strong demand for expertise in genetics. Many of these positions are highly relevant and directly stem from their studies in genetics, showing that the degree can lead to impactful work in the medical field.

On the flip side, it seems like not everyone's journey has stayed within the realm of genetics. Some graduates have taken on roles like SEO Strategist, Chief Operating Officer, and Associate Software Engineer, which, while they might utilize analytical skills honed through their education, don’t really tap into their genetics knowledge. Those job choices appear quite disconnected from the core of what they studied. Overall, while a significant chunk of graduates from this program have been able to secure jobs that are directly relevant to their degree, there is also a notable number who have ventured into other industries that don’t fully utilize their genetics expertise. It underscores that while a degree in Genetics can open many doors, some grads choose paths that stray far from the scientific and clinical applications of their education.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Genetics graduates (this is across all Genetics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Wisconsin-Madison):

What kind of career trajectories do Genetics graduates from University of Wisconsin-Madison have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of Genetics graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it’s pretty clear that many have started their careers in roles that align closely with their degree. For instance, a good number of them landed positions like research technicians and genetic counseling interns right after graduation. These initial jobs suggest that graduates generally take their first steps into the scientific and healthcare fields, which is exciting if you're considering a path in genetics. After a few years, many of them seem to progress into more specialized roles, like genetic counselors or research scientists, showing that they’re building a strong foundation in their field.

However, it's also worth noting that not everyone stays strictly within the realm of genetics. Some graduates have ventured into quite different areas, such as digital marketing or even veterinary services, which might seem disconnected from their genetics training. This shift might be due to personal interests or the changing job market, which can pull people in unexpected directions. All in all, it looks like a decent chunk of these grads are finding success in relevant careers, with a notable number still actively involved in genetics-related roles even five to ten years down the line. So, while there's some variation in career paths, many seem to thrive in related fields.

How hard is a Genetics degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison?

Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison can be pretty challenging, but it's also super rewarding if you're into that stuff! You'll definitely encounter some tough courses in biology, chemistry, and advanced genetics that require a solid understanding of complex concepts and lots of memorization. The labs can be time-consuming, and some students find the workload to be heavier than average, especially if you're juggling multiple science classes. However, UW-Madison has great professors and resources to help guide you along the way. If you’re genuinely interested in genetics and willing to put in the effort, you’ll likely find it manageable—even if it’s a bit more difficult than your average degree!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Genetics.

Do Genetics graduates from University of Wisconsin-Madison tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these Genetics graduates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, it seems like they’re carving out some pretty decent careers, though there's definitely variation in how much money they're making. The folks who graduated in 2010 and 2012 have moved into pretty solid positions—like Genetic Counselor and Chief Operating Officer—suggesting they've hit a sweet spot in terms of pay. On the other hand, some of the more recent grads (like the ones from 2018 and 2022) seem to be in more entry-level or internship roles, which probably means their salaries aren't quite as high yet. Overall, it looks like a lot of them have the potential to earn good money, especially as they get more experience, but some are still in the early stages of climbing that pay ladder.

What buzzwords do Genetics graduates use to describe themselves?

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 is across all Genetics graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to University of Wisconsin-Madison). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Genetics?

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