Learn About Careers in Life Sciences

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Wellesley Career Education

A career in the life sciences can include a broad range of companies, organizations, and foundations concerned with the study of living organisms, including biological sciences, botany, zoology, microbiology, physiology, biochemistry, and a number of related subjects. Employers may include biotechnology & pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, healthcare organizations, foundations, and federal agencies. Most of the information on this page concerns non-patient facing options but there are opportunities to create career paths that merge patient and non-patient settings.

“I previously had dreams to be an author, but found myself called by the combination of logic, mystery, and truth in science.”

Curriculum Design

Hayley
Hayley Meredith McIlvaine

Career paths in curriculum design are wide-ranging, beginning with the variety of terms and job titles you will hear and levels of preparation required (a Bachelor’s degree is required, often a master’s is preferred--or depth of knowledge in the subject). There is often confusion within the occupation surrounding titles. Typically, the role involves development and evaluation of curricular and training materials.

Library Science

Hayley
Hayley Meredith McIlvaine

Wherever there’s a need for information, there’s a need for a librarian. Libraries have been empowering people by offering resources, services and training to expand their knowledge for thousands of years. According to the American Library Association career resource page there are approximately 400,000 librarians and library workers who bring opportunity every day to the communities they serve.

ROTC at Wellesley

Nicole
Nicole D. Park

The Reserves Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is a college program that prepares students to become commissioned officers in the United States Armed Forces. The ROTC curriculum is pursued at the same time as your Wellesley College courses, and is focused on leadership development and career training.

Wellesley offers students the opportunity to join the Army and Air Force ROTC programs. Both programs are hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology...

Study Abroad: Government, International Affairs, Law, & Public Policy Careers

Nicole
Nicole D. Park

Students interested in careers in government, law, international affairs, and public policy are encouraged to focus on skill development and experience. This is especially important as employers, and graduate programs in this space continue to look for commitment to understanding these industries.  Below please find suggested study abroad experiences that help develop specific skills and experiences to help be competitive in these industries.

Science Research

Alexis Trench
Alexis Trench

Participating in research experiences as an undergraduate is an excellent way to add depth to your science understanding and actively engage with what you are learning in the classroom. By doing so, you further develop your laboratory, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and you start to build your network with faculty members. Research experiences are valuable components to your resume, and they can make you more competitive for both graduate school and industry opportunities.

 

“Medicine is about studying how life works, but the practice of medicine is also learning about life through other people. I have appreciated the opportunity to experience both this summer.”

Fulbright Program (rising seniors & graduates)

Kate Dailinger
Kate Dailinger

Supports a year (or occasionally more) of study or research abroad in any discipline, or year-long English teaching assistantships (ETAs) abroad in programs designed by the host countries. Eligible are graduating seniors and graduates who are US citizens. Campus application deadline for Wellesley students and graduates typically in August.

Resources for Underrepresented Students and Alumnae Applying to Health Profession Schools

Cindy
Cindy Seltzer, Ed.D., MBA

A crucial topic in healthcare today is how to eliminate inequities in the quality and availability of medical care for ethnic, racial, social, and economic minorities. There is an urgent need to increase both the diversity and cultural competence of our health care workforce.

“In the past year I’ve spent a lot of time thinking, talking, and journaling about my career, values, and interests. The courage to see if different doors would open for me, to reach out to people and ask for their time and wisdom, was sometimes hard to come by, but my curiosity pushed me to do things that were slightly uncomfortable, and the results were worth it.”

“She said, ‘If you could do anything in the world, what would you be?’ I immediately said, ‘A nurse, but it’s too late.’ She said, ‘No it’s not.”

Principal at AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School.

AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School

Part-Time Tutor Counselor at Georgia State University - Upward Bound (Atlanta Campus).

Georgia State University - Upward Bound (Atlanta Campus) - Student Success

Summer Residential Tutor Counselor at Georgia State University - Upward Bound (Atlanta Campus).

Georgia State University - Upward Bound (Atlanta Campus) - Student Success