Biochemistry

Through studying biochemistry, you not only acquire a great deal of subject knowledge associated with your degree but you also develop many skills which will be invaluable for your next career move. Studying the biosciences gives students both specific and generic skills so that they acquire a depth and range of learning.

Over the course of your degree you develop a wide mix of subject-specific and technical skills, you should consider these skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.

Prospects

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, just over 37% were in employment. Of these around 22% had entered scientific research with a further 15% entering professional and technical occupations. Biochemistry graduates also went into other sectors, such as commercial and public sector management and business and financial professions.

These are impressive statistics when you consider that a further 37% of graduates went on to do further study, making the figures for employment and further study quite high especially when compared to other disciplines.

Where are the jobs?

Most biochemists are employed as researchers in universities, research institutes and large companies in sectors such as pharmaceuticals. Small companies also employ biochemists to provide specialist services such as toxicological studies. Many also work for the NHS (see NHS Careers), government laboratories such as the Central Science Laboratory or public health laboratories such as the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

For further information about employers, look into the following areas:

• Education - specifically higher education, which employs a large number of science researchers to undertake research in universities (some of whom go on to become lecturers);
• Science - which includes a range of research, technical and related careers within private and public organisations;
• Health - dominated by the NHS. This area primarily includes work in biomedical and clinical careers.

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Clinical biochemist
• Biomedical scientist
• Forensic scientist
• Research scientist (life science)
• Clinical research associate
• Higher education lecturer
• Toxicologist

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Health and safety inspector
• Patent examiner
• Scientific journalist
• Chartered accountant

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

You can find more about the skills you develop during your course, the jobs listed above, plus case studies and where to find these jobs at Prospects.

Included with the permission of AGCAS. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contact copyright@agcas.org.uk