Career Planning
Careers in Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology
Our program majors prepare students for a wide range of careers in biological sciences. Training in biology or genetics may lead to employment in teaching, research, or any of a variety of health-related professions. Some career industries include:
- Biotechnology
- Human medicine
- Veterinary medicine
- Agricultural sciences and life science education
Career planning and preparation
Depending on your college, the CALS Career Services and LAS Career Services assist you with resumes, cover letters, and references; offer tools to provide feedback on formatting and content; and lead mock interviews to prepare you for upcoming interviews.
Alumni Careers
Trevor Nolan (B.S., Genetics, 2013, and Ph. D., Genetics and Genomics, 2018) - Assistant Professor, Caltech
Jill Madden (Ph.D., Genetics, 2014) - Associate Director, Clinical Diagnostic Scientist at Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Majd Abdulghani (M.S., Genetics and Genomics, 2018) - Genomics Lead, Lean Business Services
Benjamin Dralle (B.S., Genetics, 2019) - Medical Student, The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Nicole Blum (B.S., Genetics, 2019) - Licensed Genetic Counselor, University of Iowa Health Care
Stan Duchman (B.S., Biology, 1987) – Cardiologist in Houston, Texas, and clinical professor at Weill Cornell Medical College and DeBakey Heart and Vascular Institute at Houston Methodist Hospital
Salary and job outlook
Genetic Counselors enjoy strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in the United States in 2023 being over $98,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% of earners in the atmospheric sciences earned over $132,000 per year.
Biological Scientists enjoy a strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in the United States in 2023 being over $99,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% of earners in the atmospheric sciences earned over $158,000 per year.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, including Health, enjoy strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in the United States in 2023 being over $86,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% of earners in the atmospheric sciences earned over $133,000 per year.
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians enjoy strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in the United States in 2023 being over $62,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% of earners in the atmospheric sciences earned over $93,000 per year.
Many GDCB graduates move on to medical or professional schools!
Family Medicine Physicians enjoy strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in Iowa in 2023 was between $265,000 and $303,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Veterinarians enjoy strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in the United States in 2023 being over $136,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% of earners in the atmospheric sciences earned over $201,000 per year.
Dentists enjoy strong earning potential, with the median annual salary in the United States in 2023 being over $191,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10% of earners in the atmospheric sciences earned over $218,000 per year.