Do you have a passion for earth sciences, animals and zoology, and everything else related to natural science? Then a career as a biologist might be for you! Biologists can specialize in many different fields, including zoology (the study of wild animals and their habits) and botany (the study of plants). These biologists usually go out into the field and take samples for their research. Different biologists generally do radically different tasks, though most track animals that they specialize in to find out numbers, breeding habits, diet, etc. They can also be responsible for trapping animals to determine their migration patterns and the state of their health. Botanists would take plant samples and test for similar qualities, seeing if their populations are booming or scaling back. Here are a few other things you might not have known about biologists:

What are the perks of the job?

The first advantage of the career is that biologists make a median of about $57,888 in Canada annually, according to PayScale. Many entry-level biologists earn about $39,872 and can earn as much as $80,237. There are a few other perks, like the variety in jobs available once you earn a degree in biology. It can also be a pleasantly challenging career and would be very attractive to people with a passion for the natural sciences. There is a growth in demand for the job, with a 4% increase in job creation between 2014 and 2024 according to Study.com.

What are some of the setbacks?

On the other hand, being a biologist in the field can be stressful and isolating since you often work in environments that are far away from people. Spending hours in a lab can also have you working on your own for long periods of time. As well, there can be some health risk if you happen to become a biologist who specializes in diseases and works with virus samples often. Obtaining the educational requirements to becoming a biologist can also be very challenging depending on the job title you are striving for. Most jobs require an undergraduate degree in a relevant biological field, such as organic chemistry, zoology, plant ecology, marine biology, etc. Other, more advanced fields require a Ph.D. in a relevant field. Even after all of the educational requirements are met and the training is complete, a good biologist is expected to read up on all of the latest trends in their field to make sure that they never fall behind.

How can I grow with this career?

There are a few different ways to grow in this industry, largely by becoming the research head of certain projects, branching out into other specializations or by taking the lead on university research. Some biologists go on to teach biology courses in colleges or high schools. The job market is varied and there are many different opportunities in different locations.

That’s all great, but could I be hired for other careers?

Because the field of biology has many specializations, there are any interconnecting jobs where the required skills are very similar, though require additional education to perfect the field. A background in biology is also a first major step into entering the medical field for the aspiring doctor or veterinarian. A job in teaching is also a possibility once the biology graduate completes a course in teacher’s college.

Reference:

Study.com. “Field Biologist: Job Description, Duties and Requirements”:

https://study.com/articles/Field_Biologist_Job_Description_Duties_and_Requirements.html

PayScale. “Biologist Salary”:

https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Job=Biologist/Salary

Bizfluent. “The Pros and Cons for Careers in Biology”:

https://bizfluent.com/info-8314979-pros-cons-careers-biology.html