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What kind of person do I need to be?
Biology is a competitive field so you will need to be
passionate about the subject. You’ll need to have an
enthusiasm for learning and always work with a clear goal in
mind. Equally impor tant is the desire to keep up to date with
developments in your field, and to combine the principles of
other sciences to better understand your own discipline. On
occasion, you’ll need to be able to cope with unfavourable
conditions and you’ll need to be patient and systematic to get
the results you want. Your chosen career path may require
you to have a genuine interest in the welfare of people, a
concern for the environment or an interest in animal care.
Biology
What skills will I learn?
A career linked to biology will help you to develop a range of
skills depending on your chosen career. Working in health care
you could learn how to make a diagnosis, prescribe treatment,
provide care and give reassurance. Careers in animal welfare
will also help you to develop medical skills but could also
improve your interpersonal skills and your ability to handle
conflict. As a scientist you will gain an eye for precision while
working in a controlled manner at an appropriate pace. You’ll
develop the ability to analyse, organise and present results with
a conclusion in mind. You will also learn evaluative writing skills
and to debate your findings in a logical and reasoned manner.
How do I get there?
To work successfully as a biologist you will need a relevant
degree, a master’s qualification or even a PhD. There
is a wide range of bioscience degrees on offer and you
can specialise in an area that is of interest to you. Other
careers in health care, conservation and animal welfare are
available through a variety of degree and diploma courses.
Alternatively, if you are keen to work in a scientific suppor t
role you could study for a Diploma in Applied Sciences,
Laboratory Science or Clinical Healthcare Suppor t. A good
star ting point is to achieve a minimum of 5 GCSEs including
English, mathematics and science at Grade C or above.