What can you do with a Science degree?

First, some facts. Of the Science 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 55 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 60%, Science graduates have a lower likelihood (-7%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 60%
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, 40% 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 Science graduate.

See the details:

View a random Science graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2022 from Rivier University with a Bachelor's of Arts Special Education in Science. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Special Education Assistant
West Running Brook Middle School
May 2022 - Jun 2022
The role of Special Education Assistant at West Running Brook Middle School directly utilizes skills and knowledge from the Bachelor's in Special Education, involving daily interactions with students who have special needs.

Case Manager/Special Education Teacher
Alvirne High School
Aug 2022 - Present
As a Case Manager/Special Education Teacher at Alvirne High School, this job fundamentally requires expertise in special education concepts and strategies, which are core components of the Bachelor's degree in Special Education.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Science 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 Science, a few clear trends emerge. Many graduates gravitate towards teaching positions, particularly as teachers at middle and high schools. For these roles, their educational background in Science is crucial, as they need a solid understanding of scientific principles to effectively teach students. Other common career paths include roles in healthcare, where positions like Registered Nurses and Pediatric Occupational Therapists leverage the extensive medical and biological knowledge that a Science degree provides. In contrast, several Science graduates have also ventured into technology and quality assurance roles, where they utilize their analytical skills, although sometimes these jobs could seem tangential to their core academic training.

However, it’s essential to note that not all jobs taken by Science graduates closely align with their degrees. For some, positions in administrative roles, sales, or management fields do not inherently require specialized scientific knowledge. For instance, many simply perform tasks such as customer service, project management, or office operations, which, while benefiting from analytical thinking, do not fully showcase the comprehensive skill set backed by a Science education. In summary, while a significant number of Science graduates find jobs that are directly relevant to their studies, there’s a notable portion whose roles might not deeply engage the scientific principles and methodologies they learned, leading to a diverse but sometimes misaligned application of their degree.

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

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

Looking at the career trajectories of science graduates, it seems like there are some solid paths and some not-so-great ones. When we examine their first jobs after graduation, many of them tend to land roles that are somewhat related to their fields of study. For instance, we see graduates starting as teachers, lab technicians, or in roles that support the sciences, like product specialists or quality assurance testers. This trend suggests that many graduates are initially trying to build on their education and skills, seeking out positions that are closely tied to their degrees.

However, as we look further into their career paths five or ten years later, the story starts to diverge. Some graduates do stick to their fields and advance, accumulating experience in jobs directly related to science. For example, several teachers and PhD scholars make significant moves in education or research roles. But on the flip side, a substantial number have switched gears completely, diving into fields that seem miles away from their science backgrounds. We see graduates becoming business analysts, HR specialists, or even starting their own businesses, which often don’t seem to leverage their scientific training at all. This might indicate a struggle to find fulfilling, relevant positions in the sciences, or perhaps a broader interest that equates their skill set to other industries.

Overall, it’s a mixed bag. While some graduates clearly find fruitful, relevant careers that build on their academic foundations, a noticeable number seem to veer off course, taking jobs that don’t relate directly to their science training. It's crucial for anyone considering a science degree to realize that there might be a need to be adaptable and open to various career possibilities. The landscape is not an absolute, and while science does provide a solid foundation, it’s clear that many graduates carve out unique paths that don't always align with their original goals.

How hard is a Science degree?

A Bachelor degree in Science can vary in difficulty depending on your interests and strengths, but generally, it's regarded as more challenging than average because of the heavy emphasis on math and critical thinking skills. If you're not into subjects like chemistry or physics, you might find it a bit daunting, especially with all the labs and problem sets. That said, if you enjoy exploring how things work and are up for a bit of hard work, you'll probably find it manageable. Just remember, it's all about finding that balance and keeping up with the coursework, so don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it!

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 Science.

Do Science graduates tend to make good money?

When looking at these Science grads and their career paths, it seems there's quite a mix in terms of earnings. For instance, the recent graduate from Midwestern State University who started as a middle school science teacher might be earning a modest salary, which is pretty common for educators in their early careers. On the flip side, the graduates who ventured into tech roles, like the software testers and quality assurance analysts, likely secured some decent paychecks given the demand in those fields. This trend seems to carry through with others who have advanced into specialized positions or management roles, such as the physical therapists and the others in established companies, suggesting they might be raking in a respectable income.

However, not everyone seems to be on the same financial footing. Many graduates have held a series of entry-level or part-time roles, such as teaching positions or operations roles, which typically won't pay as much as technical or management jobs. It's also notable that some individuals, like those working in education or as caregivers, may encounter salary caps in their professions. Overall, while some grads are likely doing well financially, others might still be navigating the early stages of their careers and not making quite as much as they'd hope. It really comes down to the industry they chose and how their careers have progressed since graduation.

What buzzwords do Science 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 Science. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Science?

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

College Score Count