What can you do with a Microbiology degree from The Ohio State University?

First, some facts. Of the Microbiology graduates from The Ohio State University 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 81%, Microbiology graduates from The Ohio State University have a much higher likelihood (+14%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 81%
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, 61% 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 Microbiology graduate.

See the details:

View a random Microbiology graduate from The Ohio State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 71%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2011 from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Microbiologist
Advanced Testing Laboratory
Oct 2011 - Jul 2014
The role of Microbiologist at Advanced Testing Laboratory directly utilizes the core skills and knowledge gained from a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, making it highly relevant.

Analyst I, Quality Control
AstraZeneca
Jul 2014 - Nov 2014
As an Analyst I in Quality Control at AstraZeneca, this position requires microbiological expertise which is directly aligned with the skills acquired during the microbiology degree.

Analyst I Quality Control
AstraZeneca
Nov 2014 - Feb 2017
This Analyst I role in Quality Control at AstraZeneca involves the application of microbiology knowledge and skills on a daily basis, highlighting its strong relevance.

Microbiologist
AstraZeneca
Feb 2017 - Sep 2017
The Microbiologist position at AstraZeneca directly relies on the specialized knowledge gained from a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, making it fully relevant.

Chemist
AstraZeneca
Sep 2017 - May 2021
The Chemist role at AstraZeneca may utilize some underlying chemistry knowledge relevant to microbiology, but it is not primarily focused on microbiological skills.

Incoming Quality Specialist
AstraZeneca
Jun 2021 - Dec 2023
While the Incoming Quality Specialist role at AstraZeneca may benefit from microbiological knowledge, the core responsibilities are broader and less focused on microbiology specifically.

Quality Compliance Manager
Resilience
Jan 2023 - Present
The Quality Compliance Manager position at Resilience may require an understanding of microbiology from a quality perspective, but it is more focused on compliance and regulations, making it only partially relevant.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Microbiology degree from The Ohio State University?

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


Based on the job titles and descriptions of LinkedIn users who graduated with a degree in Microbiology from The Ohio State University, it seems that many of them have pursued careers that are intricately tied to the life sciences. A significant number of graduates have landed roles as microbiologists, laboratory technicians, quality control analysts, and clinical research coordinators, which directly utilize their microbiology background. These positions often require a solid understanding of microbial processes, pathogen behavior, and laboratory techniques, reflecting a strong alignment with their education.

However, not all posts are strictly relevant to microbiology. Some graduates have taken on roles that, while perhaps benefitting from the foundational knowledge gained during their studies, do not primarily focus on microbiological principles. Positions such as project coordinators, administrative associates, or public health managers may involve some elements related to microbiology, but the core responsibilities often extend into broader areas of biology or public health. Overall, while many graduates find roles that are directly relevant to their major, a good number have branched into other fields where their microbiology training may still play a supportive role rather than a central focus.

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

What kind of career trajectories do Microbiology graduates from The Ohio State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from The Ohio State University who studied Microbiology seem to have an interesting mix of career paths, especially in the early years after graduation. For many, their first jobs tend to be in research or technical roles, like working as biological technicians or microbiologists in various organizations such as the CDC or pharmaceutical companies. This makes sense since they want to get their feet wet in the field and gain practical experience right away. Over time, it's interesting to see that some of these graduates have moved on to impressive roles in healthcare, research, or academia, like pursuing medical degrees and becoming resident physicians or taking on positions as assistant professors. It looks like they’re leveraging their microbiology degree to launch into more advanced and specialized areas.

When we look at five or ten years down the line, it appears that many are not just staying in the same place. A lot have progressed into supervisory or managerial roles, especially in research and clinical settings. Some have become high-level clinical coordinators or quality compliance managers, which suggests that the education and skills they gained at Ohio State have helped them climb the career ladder effectively. There are, however, a handful of people who have taken jobs that are somewhat peripheral to pure microbiology, like teaching or moving into administrative roles, but overall, the majority are still closely tied to fields involving microbiology, public health, and clinical research. This generally indicates that a degree in Microbiology from a solid institution like Ohio State opens doors to a wide range of relevant and potentially lucrative career options!

How hard is a Microbiology degree from The Ohio State University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, whether at The Ohio State University or elsewhere, can be pretty challenging! You’ll dive deep into complex topics like genetics, biochemistry, and cellular processes, and there's a fair amount of lab work involved that can be demanding. It definitely requires good study habits, problem-solving skills, and a willingness to put in the time on tough subjects. Some students find it easier if they have a strong background in science from high school, but it’s not uncommon for others to struggle a bit. Overall, I'd say it's a bit harder than average, but if you’re passionate about the subject and stay organized, you can definitely make it through!

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 Microbiology.

Do Microbiology graduates from The Ohio State University tend to make good money?

So, looking at these Microbiology graduates from Ohio State, it seems like they’ve had a mix of financial outcomes. Those who went into medicine, like the neurosurgeons and residents, likely raked in some decent cash, especially as they progressed in their careers. Meanwhile, those who stayed in research or tech roles may not be making as much right off the bat but can still have pretty rewarding careers, especially if they climb the ranks into managerial positions later on. Some of the earlier roles seem more entry-level, which aren’t typically high-paying, but overall, it looks like many of these folks are setting themselves up for stable and potentially lucrative careers in the long run, depending on the path they choose!

What buzzwords do Microbiology 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 Microbiology (this is across all Microbiology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to The Ohio State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Microbiology?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Microbiology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Microbiology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of California, Davis 82 13
The Ohio State University 81 13
University of Oklahoma 73 11
University of Florida 56 11