The information on this page is designed to help you explore possible careers. Use the links below to navigate to different areas of the page. We recommend working with a career counselor to help you identify careers based on your skills, interests, and values.
Science majors develop skills that are highly valued by employers. These skills include: critical thinking, research, analysis, oral/written communication, presentation, problem-solving, & laboratory skills. Students and alumni may find employment in government, nonprofit, education, and business sectors depending on their skills and experience. Internships or relevant part-time jobs may be a prerequisite to finding employment
Ideas for Careers and Places of Employment
List of Employers and Job Titles Developed from Job Postings in Handshake for Science Majors
The following list of employers and job titles was derived from the University Career Center's jobs database where employers indicated an interest in recruiting students majoring in science. Science majors should also check the following pages: biology, chemistry, environmental studies/science, geology, math, & physics. The list below does not reflect all potential places of employment or kinds of jobs for science majors and does not reflect current openings. The University Career Center provides this list as a tool for generating ideas for further exploration.
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List of Employers and Job Titles Generated from Keyword Searches
The following list of employers and job titles was generated by using the keyword 'science' in job databases and job search engines. The list below does not reflect all potential places of employment or kinds of jobs for science majors and does not reflect current openings. The University Career Center provides this list as a tool for generating ideas for further exploration.
- Ajinomot — Quality Control Technician
- AMEC Environmental & Infrastructure —Environmental Chemist, Environmental Chemist 1
- American Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter — Laboratory Technician
- Brunel — Clinical Research Associate
- Cambia Health Solutions —Pharmacy Technical Writer
- Cargill Integrated Bakery Resources — Quality Assurance Technician
- Continental Mills — Quality Assurance Specialist 1
- Dave's Killer Bread — Contract Manufacturing Coordinator
- David Evans and Associates — Biologist/Environmental Scientist
- Department of Environmental Quality — Natural Resource Specialist
- Dow AgroSciences, Agronomic Traits Discovery R&D — Molecular Biology Technician
- Emerald Performance Materials — Shift Chemist
- Environmental Works — Environmental Field Technician
- Eurofins Scientific — Scientist
- Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center — Lab Assistant
- Intel — RP1 Process Technician
- Syneos — Pharmacuetical Sales Representative
- Kaiser Permanente Northwest — Laboratory Technical Assistant
- Lab Support — Microbiologist
- Matrix — Bench Chemist
- Metro — Interpretive Specialist/Writer
- Nike — Road to Zero Program Manager for Sustainable Manufacturing & Sourcing - Materials, Innovator, Research - Apparel Innovation, Fuel Scientist Digital Sport
- Oregon Department of State Police Forensic Laboratories — Forensic Scientist - Entry
- Oregon Health & Science University — Clinical Research Associate (CRA), Research Assistant 1, Research/Business Analyst, Veterinary Research/Health Technician 2
- Oregon Museum of Science & Industry — Science Educator
- Oregon State Police Portland Metro Forensic Laboratory — Forensic Scientist-DNA
- Oregon Zoo — Interpretive Specialist/Writer
- Precept Life Sciences — Regional Clinical Research Associate
- RDH — Energy Specialist
- Renaissance Learning — Science Editor, Science Standards Editor
- SWCA Environmental Consultants — Natural Resources Scientific WriterURS — Entry-Level Environmental Scientist
- US Forest Service — Biological Science Aid, Botanist
- University of Portland —Biology Lab Manager
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife — Environmental Specialist
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Government Classification Specifications
Classification specifications can provide useful information about job responsibilities and required or preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs); classification specifications are not current job openings. The University Career Center includes links to them so you can learn about kinds of government jobs that may be of interest to you.
City of Portland Classification Specifications
City of Hillsboro Classification Specifications
Clackamas County Classification Specifications
State of Oregon Classification Specifications
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Vocational Biographies
Vocational Biographies describes the career success stories of 1001 real people. Search by career title, keyword, topic, and career cluster. Username: portlandsu and password: 3W9N
- Agronomist
- Air Quality Investigator
- Animal Program Biologist
- Aquatic Biologist
- Aquatic Toxicology Researcher
- Assistant Brewmaster
- Desert Ecologist
- Forest Ranger
- Park Services Specialist
- Research Analyst
- State Park Resource Ecologist
- Urban Forester
- Zoo Education Curator
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Professional Associations
American Association for the Advancement of Science is the world's largest general scientific society and has this booklet available for download: Career Trends: Step by Step: Your Career from Undergrad to Postbac and a section on Career Profiles.
Council for the Advancement in Science Writing has a Guide to Careers in Science Writing; read how to get started in science writing.
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