Career Preparation

The QC Biology Department knows that your BA from Queens College will launch a career. From here you could go straight into the job market; obtain research, teaching, or clinical experience; become certified or licensed in a particular skill; or pursue an advanced degree.

Many QC Biology graduates go to graduate school, namely to pursue a Ph.D. or Master’s degree. Indeed, a Master’s degree can really boost your knowledge and experience, giving you a competitive edge in many biology career paths.

No matter which sector you want to go into, consider transitioning from your undergraduate into a Biology Master’s program at QC, whose Master’s degrees are now quicker, more affordable, and more competitive than ever before. Learn more here.

As a Biology student, you should seek advice on your career goals as early as possible, and we are here to provide it. Let us help you identify the courses and other experiences that will be most beneficial to your path forward. Our designated Undergraduate Advisors set aside times each week to meet with undergraduates and give such advice. They are all academic biologists, each with their own range of expertise and interests. See who they are and their availabilities here.

For advice more tailored to specific interests (e.g., genetics, developmental biology, cancer, parasitology, microbiology, evolution, ecology, conservation, agriculture), do take advantage of the diverse expertise of all our Biology faculty, whose research interests are here. Do not hesitate to reach out to them.

Indeed, doing so could lead to a rewarding undergraduate research experience under the supervision of our faculty members, such as Assoc. Prof. Nathalia Holtzman, in the background of the image at right—the student is in the foreground of the photo.

Two people working inside a lab together.

For careers in medicine and other health-related fields, you should consult the QC Health Professions Advisory Services. One of our pre-health Advisors, Dr. Mika Vesanen, can advise you on what you should do to prepare yourself for the next step of your career, including the timeline, important courses, helpful experiences, standardized tests, and relevant schools or programs.

To be a competitive applicant to some schools, special coursework or experiences are recommended. Our advisors can help you identify the optimal suite of courses that will help you qualify for the program of your choice while pursuing your Bachelor’s degree in Biology.”

Undergraduates planning to pursue a health career might consider a Minor in Health Sciences. If you have questions about this option, please ask Dr. Saima Cheema. After graduation, consider a Post-Baccalaureate Medical Career Preparation Certificate. Among certifications offered at QC are several related to medical careers, including nine specialties ranging from dentistry to veterinary medicine. See here for more info on these programs. This certification program is run by Dr. Mika Vesanen.

Dr. Saima Cheema has put together the following set of resources to help you prepare for specific health-related programs—the prerequisites are the specific courses that will make you a viable candidate for each program).

Dentistry