What can you do with a Pharmaceutical Sciences degree?

First, some facts. Of the Pharmaceutical Sciences 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 224 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 86%, Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates have a much higher likelihood (+19%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 86%
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, 77% 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 Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate.

See the details:

View a random Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 71%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from University of Louisiana Monroe with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Pharmacy Intern
Walgreens
Apr 2013 - Feb 2016
The role of a Pharmacy Intern at Walgreens does not substantially utilize the knowledge gained from a Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, as it primarily focuses on entry-level pharmacy tasks rather than advanced pharmaceutical science concepts.

PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Resident
Mercy
Jun 2017 - Jun 2018
The PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Resident position involves applying extensive knowledge from Pharmaceutical Sciences in a clinical setting, making it directly relevant to the degree.

Emergency Medicine/Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist
Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport
Jul 2018 - Apr 2019
As an Emergency Medicine/Critical Care Clinical Pharmacist, the job requires advanced pharmaceutical knowledge and skills applied on a daily basis, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree.

Pharmacist
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System
May 2019 - Present
The role of Pharmacist at Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System necessitates a strong foundation in pharmaceutical knowledge and practices, directly aligning with the skills learned during the Bachelor's program.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
University of Louisiana Monroe
2013 - 2017
ABOUT

I am a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist Pharmacist at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, Louisiana. I am a 2018 graduate of the PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency program at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. I am a 2017 graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Pharmacy with my Pharm.D. and a 2014 graduate with my B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences. My interests include emergency medicine, academia, critical care, cardiology, and infectious disease.I am a highly motivated and goal-driven individual. In addition, I maintain executive presence; while being friendly and easy to get along with. Lastly, I am passionate about making an impact on improving the lives of everyone that I serve - patients, nurses, physicians, and current and future colleagues.

What jobs can you get with a Pharmaceutical Sciences degree?

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


When analyzing the career paths of individuals with degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences, it's clear that a significant number have gravitated toward roles that are closely related to their academic backgrounds. The most common professions among these graduates include Pharmacy Interns, Pharmacists, Clinical Pharmacists, and Research Scientists. These positions demand a solid understanding of pharmaceutical practices, drug interactions, and patient care, highlighting the relevance of their educational experiences.

Internships, particularly in community pharmacies or hospital settings, seem to be a staple for many fresh graduates. These roles often serve as valuable stepping stones into professional positions. After gaining experience as interns, many transition into full-time roles as Pharmacists or Clinical Pharmacists, which require the application of extensive pharmaceutical knowledge and skills for tasks such as medication management and patient consultation. Others take on scientific roles, such as Research Scientists or Assistants, focusing on drug development and pharmaceutical research, which is equally essential in translating academic knowledge into practical applications in the industry.

While most positions strongly utilize the knowledge gained from their degrees, some individuals pursue careers that stray from traditional pharmaceutical paths. Positions in management, consulting, or even unrelated fields such as event planning or technical roles highlight a divergence from core pharmaceutical sciences, indicating varied interests and career trajectories. In these cases, while some skills may be transferable, the direct application of pharmaceutical knowledge is reduced, showcasing that not all degrees in pharmaceutical sciences lead to strictly related roles.

In conclusion, the majority of jobs held by those with degrees in Pharmaceutical Sciences tend to reflect a strong relevance to their educational background, particularly in pharmacy practice, clinical roles, and research. However, there is a noticeable portion of graduates whose career paths veer into less related territory, emphasizing the diverse opportunities available to those equipped with a degree in this field. Overall, the correlation between educational training and professional position remains predominantly strong, underscoring the value of these specialized degrees in the job market.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Pharmaceutical Sciences, it seems like they generally start off their careers in roles that are closely tied to the pharmacy and pharmaceutical sectors. Most of these individuals take internships or entry-level positions as pharmacy interns, pharmacy technicians, or research assistants shortly after graduation. This is a strong indicator that graduates are leveraging their education in practical settings immediately after school, putting their theoretical knowledge to the test in real-world environments. For example, graduates from schools like South Dakota State University and Purdue University have a clear pattern of beginning their careers with hands-on training at prominent pharmacy chains as interns, which can eventually lead to stable, full-time pharmacist positions.

As we advance in time to the 5 to 10-year mark after graduation, the career paths of these individuals remain largely aligned with the pharmaceutical field. Many alumni are transitioning into roles such as clinical pharmacists, specialty pharmacists, and even academic positions like professors or researchers in universities or pharmaceutical companies. For instance, several graduates have progressed into influential roles within healthcare systems, working directly with patient care or managing pharmacy operations. However, we also see a minority who seem to stray off the more traditional pharmaceutical track, such as moving into project management or administrative roles that might not directly relate to their degree. These shifts can sometimes indicate a divergence from the core pharmaceutical sciences but may also reflect adaptability to the job market's changing demands.

Now, while it's crucial to highlight that many graduates are successfully building careers that align with their degrees, it’s equally important to acknowledge that some individuals may struggle to remain in traditional pharmaceutical roles, leading to positions that are less relevant to their education. This can happen for numerous reasons ranging from personal interests changing over time, to the pressures of the job market which sometimes lead one to take a job that simply pays the bills rather than aligns perfectly with their educational background. Nonetheless, the overall trend shows that a large number of graduates do find fulfilling careers within the pharmaceutical sciences, whether in clinical roles, research, or furthering their education in advanced degrees or specializations. In conclusion, a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences appears to open several doors, often leading graduates into rewarding careers in pharmacy and related fields, though the path taken can vary widely among individuals.

How hard is a Pharmaceutical Sciences degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your interests and strengths. You’ll be diving into a lot of chemistry, biology, and even some more advanced topics like pharmacokinetics and drug development, which might feel overwhelming at times. If you enjoy science and have a knack for it, you might find it manageable, but be ready for some tough coursework and heavy memorization. Overall, it’s definitely more demanding than your average degree, but if you're passionate about the subject, you might find it rewarding despite the grind!

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 Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Do Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these Pharmaceutical Sciences graduates, most of them seem to be on a decent trajectory toward making good money. For instance, those who have secured pharmacist roles right out of school or have quickly progressed to higher positions like pharmacy managers typically earn salaries that can range from the mid to high $100,000s annually. Roles in consulting or significant research positions also tend to pay well, especially as they gain experience. However, there are some graduates who have taken a more academic or research-focused path, which may not always lead to lucrative salaries initially, but can offer solid long-term career growth and stability.

On the flip side, some graduates, especially those still in internship roles or early in their careers, might be starting with lower pay as they gain experience. Internships and entry-level positions tend to come with lower salaries, so it might take a bit longer for them to reach that stable income. Overall, while there's a mix of experiences reflected in these profiles, many graduates from reputable programs at universities like The Ohio State University and Purdue seem to be positioning themselves well for decent pay in the field of pharmaceutical sciences.

What buzzwords do Pharmaceutical Sciences 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 Pharmaceutical Sciences. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Pharmaceutical Sciences?

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

College Score Count
The Ohio State University 90 29
UC Irvine 89 10
University of Wisconsin-Madison 88 12
University of Mississippi 75 12