To ask what well-paying career I could go into with a degree in Biology?

[biograd]

I was always planning on pursuing a career in academia so I have a degree in Biology and master's in Molecular Biology and lab experience. Since COVID hit though I realise I don't want to pursue academia anymore, I want something with a little more job security and something that is better paid.

I'm a bit overwhelmed in knowing where to go from here. I'm currently working in a lab but there's not really any opportunities for progression in my current role and my salary is quite low so it's not sustainable to stay here long-term. I really want to get on the property ladder but I will need to earn a lot more before that is possible for me.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions on what to do? I know whatever I do I would enjoy as I'm the type of person who has broad interests. I'm detail-orientated, well-organised but I'm not great at leadership and public speaking.

How much money is well paid? Other than your degree, what biological based skill set do you have?

Business analysis, project management need people with good attention to detail. Engineering and tech companies like people from scientific backgrounds.
There are a few recruitment initiatives running to enable women specifically to train in software engineering- would be worth a look if you are at all interested

Do an MSc in environmental health

And then become an environmental health practitioner. Or in Public Health, and work in public health.

Patent attorney.

Pharma or biotech.

Medical writing... if you start off in an associate position you won’t get paid loads, but can quickly work your way up and get a decent salary. Lots of travel in normal times, if you’re into that, can be quite interesting.

@PseudoBadger

Do an MSc in environmental health

Excellent choice

Graduate schemes, either an unrelated one in project management / business, or a specific one in a health related role?

@Northernsoullover agreed

@Porcupineintherough

How much money is well paid? Other than your degree, what biological based skill set do you have?

Apparently the average income needed to buy a property is like £50,000! I only earn £25,000 as a research assistant and can't really progress.

In terms of skill set I would say general skills all graduates are likely to have such as attention to detail, project management, statistics, writing and presenting reports, synthesising material, etc.

[quote PseudoBadger]@Northernsoullover agreed [/quote]
Are you an EHP too?

Yes

Many, many jobs in pharma companies or contract research organisations - regulatory affairs, clinical research, project management & many more.

Medical writing/medical communications or sales depending on your skill set. I work in the project management side of med comms, I've been doing it for 5 years and earn more than 50k. The jobs are either in London or the NW though, not much outside of those locations. most companies do an entry level role where you can try the pm and the writing side and see which suits you. I did a year of sales before, the money is good but I couldn't hack the travel/stress!

In that case I'd look at something industry based in research and development.

Have a look at the scientist training programme in the NHS nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/programmes/stp/

I work in finance- grad roles in accountancy take any degree including sciences. You start at low 20s and you have to pass your exams but you can easily be up to high 30s within 3-4 years and managers earn 40-50k plus.

An alternative would be to find something in an area where you dont have to earn £50,000 to afford a house. That might be a good idea in any case as it'll take you a few years (or more than a few) to work up to that salary.

NHS clinical scientist training.

Great minds @3WildOnes

Do take a look at management consultancies that specialise in the life sciences industry, and the life sciences practices within general strategy consultancies - they pay well and offer good career progression. There are also many specialist providers, for example Market Access or Pricing services providers.

You wouldn't be doing any actual science, but having a science background is important in these sorts of roles, and many of the skills are transferable. It can be long hours though, and often involves a fair amount of travel.

Happy to answer any more detailed questions on this type of career path.

Thank you all for the ideas, I like the sound of all of them!

I love the idea of being a patent attorney but I don't really know how you get into it? I feel like I would be good at that as I'm very detail-orientated.

I also like the idea of working in Public Health. I guess I could do another master's if I save up this year. I'm mainly interested in human biology so like the idea of being in a health or pharmaceutical kind of career area.

I second (or third) NHS clinical scientist training too. I had a biology degree and am about to qualify in something similar, not on £50k but not that far off and huge potential earnings in the future.

@PseudoBadger

Yes

I've finally found a fellow EHP on here I keep mentioning how wonderful it is but I'm shouting into a void.