Career and major exploration

CBS can prepare you for success in graduate and professional schools, industry positions, and other curiosity-driven careers. Our alumni go on to work in a vast array of careers fields, companies, and non-profits. Check out how recent alums are using their CBS degree.


What can I do with my major?

Explore career paths specific to your major by using whatcanidowiththismajor.com. It is a paid subscription, but University of Minnesota students have access to the site through Handshake


Employment of CBS students after graduation

This data is primarily gathered from 2020-2022 Post-Graduation Survey results and is only a sampling of the many pathways and outcomes of CBS undergraduates.

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Biochemistry majors

Examples of job titles and employers of recent biochemistry major graduates
Job title Employer
Business Analyst Avanade
Chemist 3M
Clinical Assistant Twin Cities Spine Center
Lab Research Specialist Jord BioScience
Laboratory Technician Wuxi AppTec
Mass Spectrometry Analyst Adimab LLC
Medical Laboratory Scientist Fairview Health Services
Quality Engineer Saint-Gobain
Regulatory Analyst I Pace Analytical
Research Associate Bio-Techne Corporation
Software Developer Epic
Synthetic Biologist BLUUMBIO
Virologist/Cell Culture Specialist Element Material and Technology

Biology majors

Job title Employer
Associate Clinical Support Specialist Medtronic
Associate Scientist The Estée Lauder Companies
Behavioral Therapist Partners in Excellence, Inc.
Business Analyst Deloitte
Chemist Particle Technology Labs
Health Equity Educator Hennepin Healthcare System
Laboratory Technician Kemps
Management Consultant Qral Group, LLC
Pharmaceutical Analyst EVERSANA
Post-baccalaureate Researcher National Institute of Health
Public Health Associate National Foundation For The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention
Quality Analyst Pace Analytical
Regulatory Affairs Coordinator Smiths Medical
Research Analyst KBI Biopharma
Research Assistant PowerPollen

Cellular and Organismal Physiology majors

Job title Employer
Clinical Lab Scientist University of Minnesota
Clinical Laboratory Technologist Mayo Clinic
Clinical Research Coordinator The Massachusetts General Hospital
HIV/AIDS and Adolescent Health Advocate National Peace Corps Association
Large Animal Research Technician American Preclinical Services
Research Associate I eGenesis
Research Technologist Mayo Clinic
Researcher National Institutes of Health
Science Writer Getson & Schatz PC
Substitute Teacher Teachers on Call
Veterinary Assistant Inver Grove Heights Animal Hospital

Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior majors

Job title Employer
Biological Science Aide USDA-Agricultural Research Service
EHS&S Coordinator A. O. Smith Corporation
Field Technician Batelle
Laboratory Technician Europhins
Laboratory Technician University of Minnesota Medical School
Plant Community Technician Cedar Creek Long-Term Ecological Research
Regulatory Project Manager USA Army Corp of Engineers
Research Assistant Carp Solutions
Research Associate Loam Bio
Research Plot Technician University of Minnesota
Restoration Crew Member Great Basin Institute
Safety & ESG Analyst National Grid Renewables
USFWS Wildlife Intern AmeriCorps
Veterinary Assistant Modern Love Veterinary

Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development majors

Job title Employer
Anatomic Pathogen Technician Anatomic Pathogen Technician
Associate Biotechnologist Cargill
Cancer Researcher University of Minnesota
Clinical Lab Technologist CCRM Fertility of Minneapolis
Clinical Research Coordinator Masonic Cancer Center
Embryologist CCRM Fertility of Minneapolis
Genetic Counseling Assistant The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Housing Stabilization Coordinator Independent Living Placement
Moderately Complex Testing (MCT) Technologist Medtox Laboratories
Oncology Genetic Counseling Support Assistant Allina Health
Research Associate Bio-Techne Corporation
Research Technologist The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Sales Support Specialist Bio-Techne Corporation
Stem Cell Engineer Anatomic Incorporated
Veterinary Surgical Assistant BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital

Microbiology majors

Job title Employer
Assistant R&D Scientist Sedia Biosciences Corporation
Associate Scientist I Luminex Corporation
Cell Isolation Technician I Miromatrix
Community Health Assistant University of Minnesota School of Public Health
Foodborne Illness Student Worker Minnesota Department of Health
Gluten Lab Technician General Mills
Laboratory Technician Zepto Life Technology
Medical Laboratory Technician I State of Minnesota
Process Scientist I Diasorin
Professional Research Assistant University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Quality Analyst Baxter
Research Assistant University of California Berkeley
Scientist II Pace Analytical

Neuroscience majors

Job title Employer
Advisory Services Analyst UnitedHealth Group Inc
Associate Consultant MicroBio Consulting
Business Analyst Livio Health Group
Clinical Research Coordinator National Jewish Health
Clinical Research Coordinator David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Disability Examiner Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Health Science Specialist Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs
Junior Research Specialist UC Davis Center for Neuroscience
Medical Assistant Pinnacle Fertility
Neuropsychometric Technician Marshfield Clinic
Post-baccalaureate Fellow The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Program Manager Highland Friendship Club
Psychometrist University of Minnesota Physicians
Regulatory Specialist Boston Scientific
Research Assistant Saunders Lab

Plant and Microbial Biology majors

Job title Employer
Data Processing Systems Analyst Science Catalysts
Laboratory Technician Native Bee Lab
Laboratory Technician Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Manufacturing Associate I Lyell Immunopharma
QC Microbiologist Lifecore Biomedical
Quality Control Lab Technician Cold Spring Brewing Company
Research Associate I aerialPLOT
Researcher I University of Minnesota

Additional education pursued by CBS students after graduation

This data is primarily gathered from 2020-2022 Post-Graduation Survey results and is only a sampling of the many pathways and outcomes of CBS undergraduates.

*Institutions marked with an asterisk(*) signify that several graduates have pursued degrees at these institutions. 

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Medicine (M.D. / D.O.)

Program Institution
Medicine Boston University School of Medicine*
Medicine George Washington University*
Medicine University of Minnesota-Twin Cities*
Medicine University of Minnesota-Duluth*
Medicine University of Missouri-Columbia*
Medicine/MBA University of Miami Medicine
Medicine/PhD University of Rochester
Osteopathic Medicine Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center
Osteopathic Medicine Midwestern University
Osteopathic Medicine Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine

Dentistry (D.D.S.)

Program Institution
Dentistry Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Dentistry Creighton University
Dentistry Indiana University School of Dentistry
Dentistry Marquette University*
Dentistry Oregon Health and Science University
Dentistry University of Iowa
Dentistry University of Minnesota-Twin Cities*
Dentistry University of Utah

Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)

Program Institution
Pharmacy University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Pharmacy University of Minnesota-Twin Cities*
Pharmacy University of Minnesota-Duluth*
Pharmacy University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill*
Pharmacy University of Washington
Pharmacy University of Wisconsin-Madison*
Pharmacy/MPH University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Physician Assistant (PA)

Program Institution
Physician Assistant Studies Arcadia University
Physician Assistant Studies College of St. Scholastica
Physician Assistant Studies Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Physician Assistant Studies Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Physician Assistant Studies North Central College
Physician Assistant Studies University of Wisconsin-Madison
Physician Assistant Studies University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Other Health Professional Programs

Program Institution
Nursing Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Nursing University of Pennsylvania
Occupational Therapy University of Minnesota-Twin Cities*
Optometry Illinois College of Optometry
Optometry Indiana University-Bloomington
Optometry Salus University
Physical Therapy St. Catherine University
Physical Therapy University of Illinois Chicago
Physical Therapy University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Veterinary Medicine University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Genetic Counseling

Program Institution
Genetic Counseling Columbia University
Genetic Counseling University of Minnesota-Twin Cities*
Genetic Counseling University of Nebraska Medical Center
Genetic Counseling University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Genetic Counseling University of Utah

Public Health

Program Institution
Public Health Boston University
Public Health Georgia State University
Public Health University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Public Health University of South Dakota
Public Health, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Johns Hopkins University
Public Health, Epidemiology Johns Hopkins University
Public Health, Epidemiology George Washington University
Public Health, Microbiology and Emerging Infectious Disease George Washington University

Other Master's Programs

Program Institution Undergrad major
Animal Behavior Bucknell University Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior
Biological Sciences University of South Dakota Plant & Microbial Biology
Biomedical Engineering University of Southern California Biology
Child Development University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Neuroscience
Computational Ecology & Evolution University of Lausanne-Switzerland Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior
Conservation Sciences University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Biochemistry
Curriculum & Instruction University of Wisconsin-Madison Cellular and Organismal Physiology
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management University of Alaska Fairbanks Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior
Human Nutrition University of Alabama Biology
Microbial Engineering University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Biochemistry
Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, and Genetics University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development
Patent Law University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Neuroscience
Public Policy & Marine Science Jacksonville University Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development
Stem Cell Biology University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Cellular and Organismal Physiology
Teaching University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Biology; Cellular and Organismal Physiology

Ph.D. Programs

Program Institution Undergrad major
Biochemistry The University of Chicago Biochemistry
Biomedical Sciences Albert Einstein College of Medicine Microbiology
Chemical and Systems Biology Stanford University Biochemistry
Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Florida Biology
Ecology Utah State University Plant & Microbial Biology
Environmental Biology University of North Carolina at Greensboro Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior
Immunology and Cancer Biology University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Cellular and Organismal Physiology
Integrated Biomedical Sciences Case Western Reserve University Biochemistry
Molecular Biology University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development
Neurobiology and Physiology University of Tulsa Ecology, Evolution, & Behavior
Neuroscience Yale University Neuroscience
Ocean, Earth, and Atmospheric Science Oregon State University Biology
Plant Biology & Conservation Northwestern University Plant & Microbial Biology
Plant Breeding and Genetics University of Wisconsin-Madison Plant & Microbial Biology
Quantitative Biomedicine Rutgers University-New Brunswick Biology

Organizations where CBS students interned and gained experience

This data is primarily gathered from BIOL 3696: Professional Experience in the Biological Sciences & 2020-2022 Post-Graduation Survey results. This is only a sampling of the many internships CBS students may take part in.

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Previous internships

Organization Position Undergrad major
3M Technical Aide Biology
Anatomic Incorporated Stem Cell Engineer Intern Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development
Baylor College of Medicine Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow Biology
Bio-Techne Genome Engineering Services Summer Intern Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development
Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center Research Intern Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development
Children's Dental Services Intern Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development
Freshwater Society Field Assistant Biology; Microbiology; Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute Research & Quality Improvement Intern Biochemistry; Neuroscience
ISurTec Research and Development Intern Cellular and Organismal Physiology
Livio Health Business Analytics Intern Neuroscience
Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development; Neuroscience
Medtronic WISE Intern Biochemistry
MicroBio Consulting Associate Consultant Neuroscience
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation Clinical Research Intern Biochemistry; Neuroscience
MN Department of Natural Resources MinnAqua Intern at Fort Snelling State Park Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
National Cancer Institute (NCI) Summer Intern Biochemistry
National Grid Renewables Safety and ESG Intern Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior
Office of Governor Tim Walz & Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan Policy and Legislative Affairs Intern Neuroscience
Pace Analytical Regulatory Coordinator Intern Biology
Regions Hospital Neuroscience Research Intern Neuroscience
University of Minnesota Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow Biochemistry
University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital Pediatric Clinical Research Volunteer Biology
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota Turtle Intern Biology