Careers in Science: How to Make a Career Change in 2023

Overview

• Steps to launch a career in science

• Career options in the science field

• Top skills required for a job in science

There are many different science career paths out there. These areas include biotechnology, natural science, veterinary, and biological science. By getting into one of these fields, you can help invent new technologies, control diseases, and protect the environment.

What you’ll do depends on the career you choose. You could research, perform tests, analyze specimens, or develop new products. Common science career duties also include writing technical reports and the geological mapping of sites.

As for the employment outlook in various science fields, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says job openings are likely to grow 8% between 2020 and 2030.

Common career paths include:

• Biologist

• Research science

• Archaeologist

• Geologist

• Laboratory technician

• Environmental scientist

• Forensic specialist

• Chemist

This article covers types of science careers, skills that help you thrive, and tips for launching your career.

Getting your foot in the door of a science career involves a few steps to convince hiring managers you're the right person for the job. Once you've got the right qualifications and experience, you're ready to look for science jobs with Joblist.

Keep reading to find out what steps you need to take.

It's best to explore the various fields of science before deciding which one to pursue. Many sub-fields fall under physics, chemistry, and biology. Your chosen career path should reflect your interests, skills, strengths, and job opportunities. Once you select a preferred path, you're ready to move to the next step.

Getting a science degree supercharges your career plans, giving you an edge in the field of your choice. You should obtain a bachelor's degree in a relevant field. For a career in food technology, consider biochemistry, food science, chemistry, or microbiology.

If you want to go into chemical research and manufacturing, you'd better study metallurgy, chemical engineering, physics, and chemistry. Once you obtain a bachelor's degree, consider pursuing a master's degree, relevant certifications, or even a doctorate.

Internships aren't just a way to pad your resume; they can help you ace your career. It's no surprise that they're increasingly becoming must-haves instead of optional extras. If you skip this step, there's a good chance you’ll miss developing skills that employers are seeking. Another possibility is that your internship may lead to a job offer. If the company you intern with likes your potential, they may hire you.

Most employers spend very little time looking at resumes. So, be sure to create a resume in a way that helps you stand out. You can get the right results by tailoring the resume to a particular position you're applying for. Secondly, it'd be best to make the content as concise and clear as possible. It's easier to keep the resume short and direct by including only relevant and recent experience. Also, don't forget to keep things original and showcase results with metrics and numbers.

If you're looking for careers in science, there are lots of options. From earth science roles to geophysics and robotics, it's easy to find a science career to fit your interests and talents.

Below, we list 11 types of science careers. While this isn’t an exhaustive list due to the vast amount of options available in this industry, this list can help get you started.

Epidemiologists work to determine what causes diseases and injuries in the population. These medical scientists also work with communities to educate people about public health risks.

A great way to get into this field is to get an undergraduate degree in social science, biology, or public healthcare policy. At the same time, employers look for applicants who can analyze things well. Aside from being a critical thinker, detail-oriented, and good with numbers, you'll also need to show leadership acumen. With these skills, you can expect to earn a decent salary, given that the median annual wage for professionals in this field is around $78,830 per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

As an anthropologist, you'll study where humans come from, how they evolved, and why they act the way they do. You'll gain insights into the languages, cultures, and human characteristics through archaeology and other types of research.

Here are some skills you'll need to succeed:

• Critical-thinking skills

• Physical stamina

• Analytical skills

• Research skills

• Good oral and written communication

• Excellent investigative skills

Once you get your foot in the door, you can make approximately $62,000, according to the BLS.

As a biochemist, you're responsible for studying the principles governing biological processes. Advanced biomedical technologies analyze things like proteins and molecules.

Critical skills required in this life sciences field include:

• Problem-solving skills

• Methodical approach to work

• Research and data analysis

• Planning and time management

• Understand complex biological processes

• Practical laboratory skills

You can advance in biochemistry by acquiring a Ph.D. in biochemistry or biophysics. The average annual salary in this field is approximately $102,270 per the BLS.

A survey researcher is responsible for designing surveys and analyzing the results of those surveys. These studies help understand peoples' beliefs, what they think about various issues, and what they like.

You can thrive in this field if you can communicate effectively and are adaptable. Other critical skills include:

• Critical thinking

• Complex problem-solving ability

• Good with numbers

• Effective time management

The median annual wage in this physical sciences field is just under $60,000, according to the BLS.

The responsibility of environmental scientists is to use knowledge of the natural sciences to mitigate both environmental and human health hazards. They can help eliminate pollution, tell policymakers what to do to protect the environment, or work with companies to reduce waste.

You can get into the field with a bachelor's degree in environmental science or environmental engineering. Useful skills include:

• An investigative mind

• Innovation

• Interpersonal skills

• Problem-solving skills

• Observation skills

• Good with numbers

As for the salaries, environmental scientists earn approximately $76,530 annually per the BLS.

The field of microbiology deals with studying microorganisms like algae, bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other parasites. As a microbiologist, it's your job to determine how organisms grow, live, and interact with the world.

Your journey to an exciting career in microbiology starts with a bachelor's degree in microbiology. You can have bright career prospects with skills like attention to detail, IT skills, teamwork, numerical skills, the ability to analyze samples. Microbiologists earn an average salary of just under $80,000 annually according to the BLS.

As a hydrologist, you study what water does to the environment under different conditions. Using your expertise, you solve water-related problems like water scarcity, flood prediction and management, drought monitoring and mitigation, water quality and pollution, climate change impacts, and hydroelectric power generation, to name only a few.

After high school, you need to enroll in a degree course focusing on applied hydrology and computer science.

As for skills, make sure you’re competent in oral and written communication skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and math. In this field, you can earn an annual salary of roughly $84,030 according to the BLS.

It's your job as a geoscientist to learn more about the earth's history, structure, and processes. To do this, you use everything from simple to complex tools like geological hammers, compass clinometers, topographic maps, Geiger counters, seismometers, and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).

You can find employment opportunities once you've got a bachelor's degree in geosciences. If you live in a state that requires it, you may need to obtain a professional geologist (PG) license. Valuable skills in this applied science field include keen observation, IT skills, analytical abilities, and communication skills. When it comes to salary, you can expect to take home roughly $83,680 annually, according to the BLS.

Ecologists study fires and logging to determine how these activities affect trees and soil in forests. They also look at fire suppression measures and how well they work.

The skills you need to succeed in this ecology field include:

• Analytical skills

• Decision-making skills

• Critical-thinking skills

• Physical stamina

• Management skills

As a qualified ecologist, your annual salary is roughly $76,530.

Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. Their primary objective is to uncover factual information and provide expert insights that can aid investigations, court proceedings, and the pursuit of justice.

The skills you need to succeed in this criminology field include:

• Analytical skills

• Decision-making skills

• Critical-thinking skills

• Excellent attention to detail

• Problem-solving skills

Forensic scientists make roughly $61,930 annually.

Your job as a science teacher is to teach students how science works by fostering their curiosity. This role also involves creating lesson plans, doing practical science demonstrations, and grading papers.

To get a headstart, you should hold at least a bachelor's degree in a science field. You may need a teaching certificate to get a job in public schools. The required critical skills include:

• Excellent instructional skills

• Scientific literacy

• Detail-oriented

• Problem-solving skills

High school teachers make roughly $61,820 annually per the BLS.

It takes good education and technical skills to get into science. Hiring managers won’t be able to just toss your resume aside when you've got the right skills. An ideal skill set enables you to thrive in high-pressure environments, take ownership of your findings, communicate effectively with colleagues, and do great analytical work.

Read on to learn about critical skills that can work wonders for your career in science:

• Patience and determination. You'll need these to get important insights from experiments.

• Strong communication skills. You need to collaborate effectively with colleagues verbally and through text-based reports and papers.

• Methodical approach to work. It helps you stay more organized and efficient.

• Time management skills. You've got to do things on time.

• Strong research skills. Hiring managers can look at your ability to search for information and analyze it properly.

• Problem-solving skills. Demonstrate the ability to think on your feet when faced with complex scientific challenges.

Having learned about the best science careers, you might want to check out some of the career openings on Joblist. There are tons of jobs from which to choose. What's cool is that it provides a personalized way to search for jobs, so you spend less time looking. All you have to do is answer a few questions on the quiz page.

If you're ready to see what's on offer, look through Joblist today.