Careers in Life Sciences

Michael Adebo; Giulia Colalillo; Bri Denicola; Laura MacKinnon; Yuan (Dora) Xu; Sheema Yousefzai

Careers in Life Sciences

Are you thinking about studying Life Sciences —or already working toward your degree and wondering what comes next? Whether you’re just beginning your academic journey or preparing to graduate, this chapter is here to support your career exploration and help you discover the possibilities ahead.

Getting Started

Career exploration takes time and is an iterative process that begins with reflection. Ask yourself: what kind of life do I want?

If you’re unsure where to begin, we recommend starting with the following chapters:

For personalized support, book an appointment with a Science Career Advisor at the Science Careers & Experience Centre (BSB 127) on OSCARplus.

Studying Life Sciences At McMaster

Interested in learning more about Life Sciences programs at McMaster? Visit the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and consult the Academic Calendar for detailed program information. For guidance on program eligibility and requirements, connect with an Academic Advisor in BSB 136.

What Skills Do Life Sciences Graduates Develop?

Graduates of McMaster’s Life Science programs build a wide range of employability skills, including:

Organizing and maintaining accurate scientific records
Identifying patterns and relationships among data and variables
Designing and conducting experiments to explore scientific questions
Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting biological data
Applying statistical tests to predict outcomes
Writing literature reviews and scientific reports
Communicating findings clearly through writing and presentations
Using deductive reasoning to support decision-making
Researching and analyzing complex scientific topics

Science Professional Competencies

In addition to discipline-specific skills, McMaster Science students develop eight Science Professional Competencies that prepare them for diverse career paths. Learn more about these competencies here.

Entering The Workforce

Life Sciences graduates from McMaster pursue careers across a wide range of industry sectors. Read about the diverse career paths and graduate journeys of McMaster Life Sciences alumni here. The program’s flexibility, interdisciplinary curriculum, and strong faculty mentorship prepare students for:

Graduate studies in fields like neuroscience, pathology, psychology, and education
Professional programs such as medicine, naturopathy, and clinical psychology
Research roles in academic and community settings
Community engagement through outreach initiatives and health education
Careers in science communication, teaching, and healthcare

Spotlight of potential careers for Life Science graduates

Want to learn more about one of these occupations? Use the Government of Canada Job Bank “Job Profiles” tool to explore job descriptions, education requirements, and labour market trends.

Other common occupations for Life Science graduates:

Click on a job title to learn more about the role, qualifications, and employment outlook in Canada:

Connect With McMaster Alumni

Curious about what McMaster Life Sciences graduates have done with their degree? Join MacConnect, McMaster’s alumni networking platform, hosted by Alumni Career Services.

MacConnect gives you access to a global community of Marauders and is your key to connecting with alumni who are eager to support your career journey. It’s quick and easy to sign up—and you’ll find a wealth of experience, insights, and career advice from a generous and diverse alumni network.

Use MacConnect to:

Explore career paths by connecting with alumni in your field of interest
Learn what it’s like to work abroad and gain international perspectives
Get job search tips from experienced professionals
Discover how others have used their McMaster degree across industries
Build meaningful relationships with alumni mentors and expand your network

For more guidance on how to network with alumni, visit Conducting Information Interviews.

Further Education

It is very common for undergraduate students to pursue additional education or training. Use the Government of Canada Can Learn Program Search tool to explore further education programs across Canada, including certificates and diplomas.

Life Science-Specific Professional Associations

Professional associations are excellent sources of industry-specific information, networking opportunities, and often feature dedicated job boards. Consider joining one aligned with your discipline or career interests:

Life Science-Specific Job Search Resources

Looking for job opportunities in related fields? These platforms offer targeted listings and resources:

For additional job search support, visit the following chapters:

Need more support with your career planning?

Meet with a Science Career Advisor
Book a 30-minute appointment with the Science Careers & Experience Centre (BSB 127) in advance through OSCARplus.

Design your future with SCIENCE 2DL3
Enrol in SCIENCE 2DL3: Design Your Science Career— an interactive career development course designed to help undergraduate students take charge of their future with creativity and confidence.

Follow us on Instagram @McMasterSCEC
Stay informed on upcoming workshops, networking opportunities and career tips from peers, advisors and employers.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

Science Careers & Experience Guidebook Copyright © by McMaster University, Science Careers & Experience Centre is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.