Biology is a branch of natural sciences which deals with life research. It addresses living organisms and their environmental experiences. Over the years, biology in schools has been one of the primary subjects. All higher education institutes worldwide offer biology courses. A Biologist plays a crucial role in investigating the structure, origin, growth, function, and distribution of living things is a popular career option in this field.
There are various online courses in the UK with certification. Biology has emerged to be one of the dominating fields in modern science in recent years. A career in biology is, therefore, an excellent option for students.
There are numerous career options as well as positive aspects of improvement in biology. You can visit BritainReviews to learn about some of these potential career paths, including laboratory study, field research, or even university teaching. Though Biology is an excellent field, it also has its shortcoming. We will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of starting a Biology career in this article.
Major Pros and Cons of Starting a Biology Career
1. Numerous choice of specialisation (Pro)
There are many careers in the field of biology. Biology students with undergraduates may, for example, find positions such as Biologists, Microbiologists, or Molecular Biologists. Biological technicians are involved in laboratory research with Scientists, Microbiologists to study the evolution of molecular biologists and micro-organisms at the molecular level. Microbiologists have more excellent options to specialise in this sector, focusing on bacteriology, mycology, virology, immunology, or clinical microbiology.
With a diploma in biology, you can open up even more opportunities. The study of the biological, physical, and chemical processes of living organisms focuses, for example.
2. Career outlook slow but positive (Pro)
Biology-based jobs are growing slowly but positively by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For example, between 2019 and 2029, the employment of biological technicians will increase by roughly 5{08d0c2a8e123c05f35c3e0340f478fc2b793980571ae110f6863129dd7124f2b} and microbiologists by 3{08d0c2a8e123c05f35c3e0340f478fc2b793980571ae110f6863129dd7124f2b}. The growth is projected to reach about 4{08d0c2a8e123c05f35c3e0340f478fc2b793980571ae110f6863129dd7124f2b} by 2019 to 2029 by molecular biologists, biochemists, and biophysicists. Given these growth prospects for the industry, the average career growth for all occupations in life science is 5{08d0c2a8e123c05f35c3e0340f478fc2b793980571ae110f6863129dd7124f2b}, while in general, the national average for all occupations is 4{08d0c2a8e123c05f35c3e0340f478fc2b793980571ae110f6863129dd7124f2b}.
3. Highly competitive employment market (Con)
In addition to the advantages of a career in Biology, some cons also need to be mentioned. Job applicants in a Biology career should expect a very competitive labour market. The BLS predicts that basic research jobs will be the most lucrative, but even jobs at the graduate level will not be easy to come by without already being published in academic journals. Biophysicists and Biochemists should expect a heavy rivalry in the context of permanent research and faculty positions at colleges and universities.
4. Biologists’ average salary (Pro)
The wages of those who succeed in obtaining a biological job differ based on speciality and education. For example, the BLS indicates that in 2019 Biophysicists and Biochemists will receive a median wage of $94 490. The same year, the median salary paid to Biological technicians amounted to $45,860. The median salary of a Microbiologist stood at $75,650, and the median pay of $63,270 was paid to Zoologists and wildlife Biologists.
5. Hazardous materials exposure potential(Con)
Some biological roles may involve exposure to hazardous substances and materials. For example, the risk of working in laboratories on dangerous strains of bacteria and viruses is one of the downsides of becoming a microbiologist, bacteriologist, or virologist. Mycologists also deal with fungi like leaves or moulds, which may or may not pose a risk to human health. Further, in developing new vaccines and medicines, biologists in the pharmaceutical industry can be exposed to different chemicals and contagious conditions.