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Students majoring in biology at The College of Saint Rose receive a detailed education, preparing them for careers in a variety of concentrations, from medical-related fields like biochemistry to research jobs in environmental science and ecology.

However, with the job market becoming increasingly saturated, it’s important for students to seek a minor that best complements their major.

By doing so, it can help the student in becoming a competitive and versatile job applicant.

A minor reflects additional training and skill, making an applicant look more desirable to those who are hiring. Minors can also help to broaden one’s career path.

But then, what is a good minor for a biology major, specifically? Well, the five best minors for biology majors are:

It’s important to have a detailed understanding of the five best minors for biology majors.

This understanding can assist biology students in determining which path can make them better equipped with the skills needed to compete in today’s fierce job market.

1. Chemistry

A biology major with a background or training in a related scientific field like chemistry is seen as a stronger job applicant with a more diverse skillset than one without.

This type of applicant is also quite rare.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), less than 10% of total biology student concentrations in the country in 2018 were from biochemical sciences.

A biology student minoring in chemistry can combine both sciences into a career as a biochemist.

Biochemists in 2020 received a median annual salary of nearly $94,000, which is more than twice the yearly salary of biological technicians.

As the prerequisites for biology and chemistry tend to overlap at many colleges, racking up enough credits for a chemistry minor may require less effort from the student — as opposed to choosing another minor.

In terms of job outlook, BLS predicts employment of biochemists will increase by an average 4% between now and 2029, so the future is looking pretty bright for biology students minoring in chemistry.

2. Criminal Justice

Students who are interested in analyzing the biological evidence found at a crime scene may want to consider a minor in criminal justice.

A criminal justice minor is one of the best minors for biology majors who wish to cross over into forensics as evidence technicians, forensic specialists, or fingerprint analysts.

The in-depth analyses performed by these professionals can be ground-breaking for solving cases and interpreting crime scenes.

There is also room for potential growth in the field in coming years. BLS projects a growth of 14% by 2029, much faster than the national average for most disciplines.

But as the competition within the forensics world becomes more intense, biology majors will definitely want to consider minoring in criminal justice to gain a competitive edge in this field.

3. Psychology

For those who enjoy studying both the biological and psychological ticks of the human mind, a good minor for biology majors to consider is psychology.

Minoring in psychology largely widens a biology major’s career options, especially in the medical and health-related fields.

Many of the jobs available to biology majors with psychology minors, like genetic counseling, involve diagnosing or predicting mental illnesses and other hereditary conditions so patients can get the help they need.

Others, like medical science, involve studying the links between psychological and physiological or biological disorders with the ultimate goal of finding a cure or treatment.

While many of these jobs require a graduate degree as well as a professional degree, the pay is quite competitive, approximately $91,000 per year.

4. Journalism

It may seem like a bit of a stretch, but journalism is a very good minor for biology majors seeking high-paying STEM-literate roles.

Although not a very common minor to coincide with a biology major, journalism is nonetheless incredibly valuable and sought-after.

Students who are interested in a career reporting on biological issues to the public or medical industries should consider a journalism minor.

Such careers are becoming more and more necessary, especially in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic.

Pharmaceutical companies, science magazines, and biotech companies have the tendency to hire biology majors with strong writing skills to serve as technical writers.

Technical writers produce articles discussing the latest news in medicine, biological findings, and more. They also create instruction manuals and how-to technical guides.

The BLS projected growth rate for technical writing jobs is 7%, which is faster than average, and the potential median annual pay is $74,000.

Also, unlike most of the other careers mentioned in this article, there is little need for a graduate degree in order to break into the industry.

5. Economics

Another extremely useful but uncommon minor, economics stands as one of the best minors for biology majors because of its versatility.

A biology major who displays a knack for business through an economics minor can find a myriad of biology-focused businesses and industries, such as biotechnology, medical equipment, and healthcare consultancy.

The need for healthcare and biotech consultants is becoming more essential as biology-focused organizations and companies seek to improve their internal operations, distribution, and marketing.

Business-minded biology majors will find that these careers pay very well.

In 2020, the BLS median annual salary for industry-specific consultants was approximately $87,000. And the job growth for industry-specific consultants also appears promising.

According to the BLS, the predicted job growth for industry-specific consultants over the next 10 years is 11%, which is a significantly faster growth rate than the average.

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To learn more about the programs offered at Saint Rose, request more information today.

Our staff will be able to supply you with the necessary information and answer any questions you might have so that an educated decision can be made for the future.

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