Do you have an interest in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics? Want to support your community and ecosystem? If so, getting a Natural Science degree may be right for you. Once you graduate from Florida National University, we will help you start a career in natural science. Our career services department works diligently to connect graduates to careers in Natural Science. So, what jobs are available in natural sciences?
What Jobs Are Available for Natural Science Degree Graduates?
Many rewarding jobs are available to graduates of Florida National University’s Natural Science Bachelor’s Degree program. These jobs include:
Job #1: Laboratory Technician
A laboratory technician assists scientists with research, testing, and experiments. They can work in research, development, production, or manufacturing. Laboratory technicians conduct diagnostic laboratory tests while operating standard laboratory equipment like centrifuges, titrators, and pH meters. They can prepare specimens, help develop products, clean lab equipment, perform maintenance on equipment, and manage the inventory of supplies and resources. The laboratory technician must also follow strict safety procedures and safety checks.
A medical laboratory technician tests and analyzes body fluids, including blood, urine, and tissue. They operate laboratory equipment, use automation to analyze samples, record data from medical tests, enter test information in patient’s medical records, and discuss the results of laboratory tests with physicians. The medical laboratory technician works under the supervision of the laboratory technologist.
Laboratory technicians can work in a variety of public and private organizations. These organizations include large manufacturing or production companies, hospitals, government departments, environmental agencies, utility companies, and pharmaceutical and chemical research organizations.
Job #2: Conservation Scientist
Conservation scientists manage land quality for forests, parks, and other natural resources to preserve those resources and ensure compliance with government regulations. They negotiate harvesting and land use contracts, manage forest lands and resources, monitor forest clearing and regeneration, direct fire suppression, work with third parties to remove timber, and improve land for positive environmental changes. Conservation scientists may work with endangered species and the conservation of the ecosystem. They conduct field research and collect and analyze data to understand and improve environmental diversity. Conservation scientists work at government agencies, non-profit organizations, and research institutions.
Job #3: Environmental Restoration Planner
The environmental restoration planner’s chief responsibility is to determine how to clean up polluted sites and identify the associated costs. They can complete this task by processing and synthesizing complex scientific data to restore, monitor, and manage restoration projects. These projects include timelines, budgets, site assessments, and data analysis. Environmental restoration planners may work with policymakers, landowners, and the community.
Florida National University Natural Science graduates build the Biology, English, Geography, and Mathematics skills required for an environmental restoration planner.
Job #4: Biological Technician
The biological technician helps biological scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments. They set up, maintain, and clean lab instruments and equipment, manage biological samples, conduct biological tests and experiments, analyze experimental data, and write reports to identify findings. Biological technicians may use computers, robotics, and high-technology applications to conduct experiments, perform research, and complete analysis.
Biological technicians work in a laboratory or office setting. They typically work with companies conducting scientific research and development, including colleges, government agencies, and manufacturers.
Job #5: Biochemist
A biochemist studies living things’ chemical and physical properties, including cell development, growth, heredity, and disease. They may be responsible for managing laboratory teams and their quality of work. Biochemists research the effects of substances, review literature, and attend conferences. They prepare technical reports and papers, present research findings to colleagues, secure funding to advance medicine, and identify new opportunities for substances like proteins, fat, and DNA.
A biochemist typically works in pharmaceuticals, education, or engineering. In the pharmaceutical industry, biochemists use chemistry to conduct medical research and make breakthroughs in the application of drugs. Since graduates are well-prepared in chemistry and biology and can take education coursework from the Natural Science degree from Florida National University, they are also ready to teach science in primary and secondary schools.
Job #6: Ecologist
Ecologists conduct fieldwork to improve ecosystems by studying how organisms interact with their environment. They answer why the ecosystems are changing, identify the factors affecting the microorganisms that lead to changes, build computer models to predict changes, and identify the protections needed to improve environment conservation. Ecologists use their findings to write environmental impact reports, publish scientific findings, and present at conferences. They also write grant proposals to secure funding for future research programs.
Government agencies, non-profit conservation organizations, and scientific and technical consulting companies employ ecologists. They typically work out in the field collecting those samples and in laboratories analyzing samples.
Job #7: Microbiologist
A microbiologist studies microscopic organisms to identify how they live, grow, and interact with their environment. They plan and conduct research projects, perform lab experiments to diagnose and treat illnesses, supervise biological technicians, and identify, classify, and monitor the effect of microorganisms; microbiologists review literature, attend conferences, prepare technical reports, publish research papers and present research findings to scientists, colleagues, and the general public.
Microbiologists work in healthcare, for government agencies, and in agriculture. In healthcare, they can help identify the causes and treatments for viruses, diseases, infections, and illnesses. In agriculture, microbiologists manage bacteria to make products like cheese, sourdough bread, and yogurt. They also identify the causes of diseases in crops and farm animals.
Job #8: Geographer
Geographers study the Earth, the distribution of its land, and how it reacts to human activities. They gather geographic data, conduct research, create and modify maps, and analyze geographic distortion of populations. Geographers also collect, analyze, and display geographic data, write reports, present findings, and help organizations link geographic data to their economics and population health.
Geographers can work for for-profit, non-profit, and governmental agencies to influence health and environmental policy, better plan energy efficiency, develop global aid, manage resources, and improve economic development.
Job #9: Government Regulatory Agent
Government regulatory agents work for the government and other organizations to make and reinforce rules concerning human activities. Their job is to protect the public’s health, safety, and property. Part of the job of a government regulator agent is to conduct inspections and audits of organizations to ensure compliance with technical, quality, and safety standards. They may start investigations or conduct hearings for violators while issuing fines and resolving disputes.
Some of the government regulatory agencies in the United States include the Federal Reserve, FDIC, SEC, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Trade Commission, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to name a few.
Job #10: Industrial Ecologist
Industrial ecologists apply principles and processes to natural ecosystems and develop models for efficient industrial systems. They identify environmental impacts, develop strategies, analyze changes, conduct sustainability assessments, and test sustainable alternatives to industrial practices. The industrial ecologist observes, receives, and obtains information to make strategic decisions.
During the Natural Science degree program at Florida National University, students learn mathematics, engineering, and chemistry to research environmental impacts better and identify sustainable business practices.
Job #11: Science Teacher
Science teachers work in primary and secondary schools to teach students about scientific methods and principles. They usually focus on one topic, including general science, biology, chemistry, or physics. Science teachers help students understand essential concepts in science. They are responsible for creating lesson plans, demonstrating scientific experiments, communicating with parents and administrators, and grading tests and assignments.
Job #12: Sustainability Specialist
Sustainability specialists help businesses make environmentally responsible decisions. They analyze a business’s behavior and provide options to reduce its carbon footprint, including waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans, to name a few.
Businesses want to support sustainability and create a positive public image. Sustainability specialists identify resource acquisition and use improvements through proper procedures, initiatives, and policies. They monitor sustainability indicators, provide technical and administrative support, and review proposals and policies. Plus, sustainability specialists can influence business activities, including corporate branding, marketing, community outreach, and public perception.
Job #13: Agricultural and Food Science Technician
An agricultural and food science technician assists scientists in studying and improving crops by measuring and analyzing the quality of food and agricultural products. They must follow strict protocols to collect, prepare, analyze, and store samples. Agricultural and food science technicians operate farm equipment, maintain agricultural production, examine specimens, measure ingredients, and prepare laboratory testing equipment. After analyzing specimens, they compile test results and prepare charts, presentations, and reports.
Agricultural and food science technicians work for government agencies like the FDA, food production and manufacturing companies like food processing plants, canneries and frozen food manufacturing facilities, and universities.
Eager to Learn More?
This Natural Science Degree program allows students to tailor their studies to their educational and career goals. This program provides students with a foundational sciences background necessary for those interested in graduate programs in the sciences, allied health, or medicine. Students can also pursue a career in K-12 science education. Florida National University awards a Bachelor of Science degree upon completing this program.
If you are interested in Natural Science, let Florida National University answer any questions.
Contact us today to learn more about our Natural Science degree programs.