What Can I Do with a Genetics & Genomics Degree?

Are you a high school student interested in pursuing a career in medicine, biotech, or agriculture? Then, you should absolutely consider a degree in genetics & genomics for your Bachelor of Science major. Degrees in medical genetics & genomics are some of the most valuable qualifications, empowering graduates to pursue rewarding careers in highly competitive clinical fields.

Why Study Genetics & Genomics?

Students of genetics and genomics thrive on curiosity and innovation. Genetics is the study of genes and biological inheritance, and genomics is the study of an organism’s genome — their entire set of genes, and how they integrate together. Courses dive deep into cutting-edge science, and students may even have opportunities to participate in ongoing research projects alongside their professors and other teaching staff. 

Genetics is a popular choice for students on pre-medical tracks or who intend to apply to medical school after earning their undergraduate degree. However, there is a wide world of genetics outside of pre-med: there’s currently a booming demand for experts in laboratory genetics research, personalized medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, and other genetics-related industries. Strong genetics & genomics institutions aim to prepare their graduates to choose the career path that is most exciting and rewarding for them.

If you’re considering studying genetics and genomics, you might be interested in our list of the top biotech programs for high school students!

5 Career Paths with a Genetics & Genomics Degree

#1 Medical & Healthcare Careers

• Physician or Medical Researcher: genetics knowledge is becoming increasingly important for those wishing to pursue careers in medicine. This includes aspiring physicians and medical researchers, who are expected to have a theoretical understanding of genetics concepts and to be able to put those concepts into practice in clinical or laboratory contexts.

• Genetic Counselor: these expert medical professionals offer personalized patient support on topics specific to genetics. For example, genetic counselors can help patients understand hereditary diseases, and can also suggest potential routes for genetic tests and analyses.

#2 Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Industry Careers

• Biotechnologist: biotechnologists work to develop drugs and other products and technologies through biological research and genetic engineering.

• Pharmaceutical Researcher: pharmaceutical scientists use human genomics and an understanding of the body’s responses to existing treatments to develop and test new targeted medications and therapies.

#3 Data Science & Bioinformatics Careers

• Bioinformatics Specialist: these professionals are responsible for managing large amounts of genetic data (primarily DNA) for use in research related to disease patterns and genetic mutations. In addition to having a background in genetics, they must also be experts on AI and big data analysis methods.

• Genomic Data Analyst: these specialized data analysts translate vast amounts of data from large-scale genomic studies into tangible results and comprehensible insights.

#4 Agriculture & Environmental Science Careers

• Agricultural Geneticist: as both geneticists and botanists, these professionals harness the power of genetic engineering every single day. Their goal is often to improve crop yields and sustainability through traits such as drought resistance and heat tolerance.

• Conservation Geneticist: this field combines genetics, molecular biology, and evolutionary taxonomy to study the biodiversity of ecosystems and the genetic health of species populations.

#5 Academia & Science Communication Careers

• University Researcher or Professor: working in academia as a geneticist can mean participating in and contributing to groundbreaking genetic discoveries and, in many cases, educating and serving as a role model for the next generation of geneticists and genomicists.

• Science Communicator: the goal of science communicators is to educate non-experts on new research and findings (including in genetics) by corresponding with media outlets, writing digestible articles for public consumption, and conducting outreach.
  

The Power of a Genetics & Genomics Degree in a Changing World

Genetics and genomics degrees are powerful and versatile qualifications that launch students into a rapidly changing world. In addition to the critical thinking skills, laboratory techniques, and computational biology knowledge gained through these Bachelor of Science programs, many students also take courses in ethical decision-making to guide their pursuits. 

The development of AI and improved tools for analyzing big data has fueled numerous recent breakthroughs in clinical genetics and genomics research. The immediate and lasting impacts from these findings are already being felt in medicine and sustainability. Be a part of this momentum! A growing number of genetics graduates are writing their success stories at biotech companies like Genentech, Agilent Technologies, Pacific Biosciences, and more.

How to Maximize Your Genetics & Genomics Degree

So, you’ve decided to declare as a genetics and genomics major. Congratulations! Now, how do you make the most of the program you’re in? Engaging in research early on in your college career can set the right tone for the rest of your undergraduate degree. Finding mentors, research internships, and independent projects will allow you to put the knowledge gained through theoretical coursework into real-life practice. Another goal that can help you maximize your genetics degree is to acquire a variety of interdisciplinary skills. This can include lab and research techniques applicable across biological fields, as well as bioinformatics concepts, familiarization with coding and essential programming languages, and any other experience that you feel are important for your work and life. Finally, networking can help you set yourself apart from other recent graduates when it comes time to apply for jobs: leverage LinkedIn, apply to and attend conferences, and stop by university career centers to get in touch with genetics professionals in the school’s broader network.

Taking the Next Step in Your Genetics & Genomics Journey

Are you ready to take ownership of your education through engaging genetics research projects? Polygence empowers ambitious high school students by connecting them to PhD-level genetics mentors. You’ll choose the topic (our project idea generator is very handy for this step) and take the lead on your own project while receiving targeted guidance from a leading expert. Our core program sets you up with ten hour-long individual sessions with your research program mentor. The sessions can take place from anywhere in the world with a stable internet connection, making them easy to fit into your busy schedule. Meanwhile, for an introduction to medical research methods for high school students, our Pods program offers small groups of like-minded peers the chance to discover cutting-edge advancements en route to producing their own individual research outcomes. Check out our upcoming modules on evolutionary genetics and on gene editing!

Want to learn more about how Polygence can launch you into genetics research? Read about Polygence alums’ college and university admissions results. Parents can also read about supporting their high school student’s research journey.

Now is the time to take the next step towards a rewarding career in research. Your curiosity in genetics has the power to shape the future—where will you take it?