Skip to main content

What can you do with a science degree?

Rodger Bohnert with students looking at machinery in NMR Lab

With a science degree, the possibilities are endless.

Science majors can be entrepreneurs, CEOs, artists, actuaries, doctors, economists, scientific illustrators, quality control professionals, analysts, technical writers, zookeepers…the options are as broad as your imagination. But it can be challenging to choose a career path before you understand what people in a specific profession do. To gain an in-depth understanding of what it is like to work in a field, use a variety of resources and talk to as many people in your area of interest as possible.

The College’s Career Development team offers a variety of learning opportunities to create positive experiences for science students. Experiential learning, or hands-on experiences, gives you the chance to participate in events and opportunities so you can learn more about yourself, your interests, passions and potential careers.

As you explore career options, it is helpful to consider factors such as job duties, education and training requirements, projected job growth, location, culture and norms as well as salary ranges. Give some thought to whether you think a job would be a good fit for you—identify what you like about it, what you don't like and what questions you might have.

Explore the many careers for science majors and the career development services in the College of Science to help you identify your ideal career path:

  • do informational interviews (we recommend LinkedIn or OSU Connections to start!)
  • job shadow
  • schedule a career consultation with a career advisor in the Science Success Center

Best jobs for science majors

You might define the “best” job for science majors differently from other students. All career paths in the sciences have their advantages. There are many factors to consider when deciding on a job, including trends, salaries and job forecasts. We compiled a list of resources below that highlight emerging fields and top jobs for science majors that may help you explore your career path in science.

Research potential science careers

The Science Lives podcast provides information about lesser-known careers that rely on a science education and scientific way of thinking. Scientists working in these fields discuss their jobs and the personal journeys that led to them.

Handshake is a tool that OSU offers all students, faculty and alumni. It is a helpful career tool that you can use to research job titles, requirements and how you can focus your science education, skills and training to the career you want. Get the most out of Handshake with these tips

Indeed is another helpful online job search tool. You can use it to get a sense of the job market in different geographic regions of the country, gauge salaries, learn about specific job requirements and job titles, read company profiles, find out required skills and other helpful information to help you target the best career for you.

LinkedIn is a great platform for job searches and professional networking. You can manage your professional identity, build and connect with your professional network of people and learn about job opportunities. Download the mobile app for a convenient way to monitor job openings.

Create a LinkedIn profile for yourself
Connect with us on LinkedIn

Departmental resources

Some of our departments have put together great career resources for students to aid in your career discovery. You might also explore outside your major because science degrees have immense flexibility: