Bachelor of Science Career Possibilities
It’s hard enough to wade through the endless stream of information at college without having to decide what type of degree you want. After all, shouldn’t you just have to pick a major and be done with it? Not only do college students have to pick a primary area of interest, they have to decide HOW they want to spend their academic years in that area. And, with college costs soaring, this decision is commonly based on what careers can be had with the different degrees.
So, you know studying computer programming will most likely make you a computer programmer. And it’s pretty common knowledge that studying business qualifies you to work in the business world. But what does having a Bachelor of Science degree mean in relation to it all? And what are the career possibilities with a Bachelor of Science?
To answer these questions, one must first understand exactly what a Bachelor of Science is:
“The Bachelor of Science degree (BS) is distinguished by its scientific emphasis. Students who complete a BS may satisfy the degree requirements by taking courses that advance their understanding of the use of scientific analysis, experimentation and the application of scientific principles and facts in solving problems; understanding of the crucial role of mathematical reasoning; analysis and techniques in comprehending problems in the natural or social sciences.”
http://www.jmu.edu/registrar/Course%20Approval/glossary.html
To put it simply, students who pursue a Bachelor of Science degree will spend much more time learning the mechanics of their trade, while those who pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree will spend much more time questioning why the science exists in the first place. Overall, a Bachelor of Science degree is designed to provide the strongest foundation possible for a science-based career. Technical knowledge, problem solving, critical analysis, and computing are all common themes in earning a Bachelor of Science degree.
Bear in mind, however, that a Bachelor of Science degree, while thorough, provides a very narrow scope of training. Whereas a Bachelor of Arts major may study a wide range of topics, a Bachelor of Science Major will typically pick one particular field—like mathematics, forensics, or chemistry—and study it at length. If you find yourself drawn to a certain area of study, and want to understand it on a tangible, literal level, then a Bachelor of Science degree is the best route. But what does this mean career-wise? Are Bachelor of Science degrees marketable?
Overall, a Bachelor of Science degree opens up a large range of career possibilities. Large business, small industry, government, teaching, and research all offer career opportunities for those holding a Bachelor of Science degree. In addition, Bachelor of Science graduates are also finding employment opportunities in non-science areas such as business, marketing, and writing. Whereas these areas were once limited to philosophical Bachelor of Arts majors, employers are now starting to hire Bachelor of Science majors to provide specific, technical insight into broad markets. In an age that values tangible, verifiable information, Bachelor of Science majors are becoming more and more valuable—and diverse.
They key, then, is to decide what field interests you and THEN deciding what type of degree to pursue. Interested in becoming a doctor? Pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in biology—or some other acceptable field—is imperative. Failure to do so would leave a potential medical student ill prepared for medical school. Want to be a teacher? A Bachelor of Science degree would serve you well.
Some other career positions that often require Bachelor of Science degrees are:
• Nurses
• Doctors
• Anesthesiologists
• Biologists
• Chemists
• Forensic Scientists
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Engineers
• Academic Administrators
• Criminologists
• Computer Programmers
• Lawyers
• Teachers
Obviously the amounts of jobs that can—or do—require a Bachelor of Science degree are almost limitless. The best way to determine what type of degree best fits your goals is to focus on what you want to do and in what capacity you want to do it. Then, talk to an academic advisor or a professional in that field to determine what type of degree would serve your career goals best.
But what if you are an aspiring artist with a passion for science? Does getting a Bachelor of Science degree hinder your chances at getting a job, say, as a writer? It depends. Say, for example, that your passion is biology. While getting a Bachelor of Science degree in biology isn’t the prime method to earning your way into the writing world, it can open doors into the ever-growing world of technical writing. By simply taking your passion—biology—and combining it with a talent—writing—you can sometimes prove yourself to be more marketable that someone with a Bachelor of Arts degree in writing, and no scientific experience.
In the long run, choosing a degree program that best suits you is determined by many factors. Career possibilities, interests, and goals all play strong roles in the decision. By understanding what a Bachelor of Science degree means and what doors it can open, one can make a more educated and reliable decision.
No matter what the case, choosing to get a Bachelor of Science degree guarantees that you will have a strong scientific understanding in whatever field you choose. And, with a world that is constantly evolving scientifically, the demand for workers with extensive knowledge in particular fields will only increase. From the sciences to computers to healthcare, career opportunities for Bachelor of Science degree-holders abound. The only hard part is deciding what to do!
