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A student holds a sign announcing her hope of becoming an anesthesiologist after graduation

Career Development for Biologists

This page offers some basic information to help students transition from College to Career. Use the information as a starting point. Students can get more resources and assistance at PLACE or from their advisor:

Topic 1: Social Networking for Professionals

I. Linkedin

II. ResearchGate

III. Handshake

IV. Social Media

Topic 2: Cover Letters  

I.  Overview

II.  Format

III.  Research 

IV.  Writing

Topic 1: Social Networking for Professionals

How can I develop an online presence on social media geared toward my professional life and career goals?

I. Get Linkedin 

  • What is Linkedin?
    • A professional networking site for the business community
  • When should a student get a Linkedin page? 
    • Now
  • What are the key components of an effective Linkedin page?
    •  Headshot
    •  About (short and professional)
    •  Experiences (jobs, special activities, research)
    •  Education
    • Skills
  • Where can you get support for your Linkedin page?
    • PLACE will help you polish your page
    • Look at other people's pages to get ideas for your profile
  •  How should you use Linkedin?
    • To make yourself three-dimensional
    • To build a network by inviting people to be your contacts (professors, professionals, peers, family members, etc.)
    • To join groups
    • To get professors and others to endorse your skills
    • Reminder: Don't let it linger! Keep it up to date

II. Maybe ResearchGate is for you 

  •  What is ResearchGate?
    •  A social networking platform for people who are active in research, such as scientists, clinicians, students, public health workers, computer scientists and lab technicians
  •  Who should have a ResearchGate profile?
    • Students who are thinking about going to graduate school
    •  Students who are thinking about one of the above professions
  •  What are the key components of an effective ResearchGate profile?
    • Profile that includes a headshot
    • About Me section includes introduction, disciplines, skills and expertise
    •  Ongoing research, presentations and publications
  • How should you use ResearchGate?
    • To build a network of other researchers doing similar work to help you stay current
    • To find other researchers doing similar work
    •  To find potential graduate school advisors or labs to work in

III. Everyone needs Handshake

  • What is Handshake?
    • An online recruiting platform for higher education students and alumni
    • Handshake is designed for college students and graduates up to four years past graduation
  • How is it different from Linkedin?
    • 100% of the jobs are entry-level or internships — they are geared toward you 
    • Thousands of employers post on Handshake
    • Recruiters use Handshake to reach out to potential employees
  • Does Handshake replace Linkedin?
    • NO. It is a good idea to have an updated profile on both. 
    • Handshake is a good place for you to find a job.
    • Linkedin is where a potential employer will look you up before they interview you or offer you a job. 

IV. Social Media — where our personal and professional lives collide

  •  What considerations should we have about our personal social media? 
    • Anything on social media may end up being seen by an employer or potential employer
    • We are judged by how our social media pages portray us
    • How do we want others to see us in life and on social media?
      • As people of character and integrity, who respect others

Topic 2: Cover Letters  

How to write an effective cover letter for an entry-level position with a biology degree

I.  Overview

  • Our purpose here is to introduce how to write a cover letter for an entry-level position with a degree in biology.
  • Check out a sample cover letter that Dr. Collins wrote along with the original job ad.
    • We use the example of applying for a field biology job with the qualifications that Dr. Collins had as she was graduating from college. 
    • This is only intended to help you get started. It is not an end all, be all. Not all advice is right for all people and all jobs
  • Google how to write a cover letter for more inspiration
    • Read several pages to get some ideas
  • Reach out to PLACE for more help and guidance

II.  Format

  • Use business letter format
  • Save it as a PDF
  • Use your last name as part of the file title
  • Unless you have a compelling reason, keep the cover letter to one page. 

III.  Research the job and the organization

  • Look through the organization website for ideas of what is important to the organization
  • Use this information in the cover letter to demonstrate that you are knowledgeable about the organization

IV.  Use the job ad to write your cover letter

  • Addressing the letter:
    • If there is a name associated with the job ad, address the letter to that person. Find and use their title.
    • Alternately, search the organization's website to see if you can determine who is in charge of the program or department to which you are applying.
    • If you are applying to an organization where your application is going to Human Resources, attempt to find out the name of the director of HR. Or address the letter generally to: Human Resources Director.
    • If you know the person you are applying to has a Ph.D. or is a physician, etc., address them as Dr. Firstname Lastname.
    • It is better to address someone by their first and last name rather than guessing Mr., Ms. or Mrs.
    • Never use “to whom it may concern.”
  • First paragraph:
    • State where you heard about the job, your most important qualifications, and that you are interested in the job.
  • Second paragraph:
    • Go through the job qualifications and show (don't tell) how you have all of the qualifications.
    • The purpose of this paragraph is to demonstrate that you are well-qualified for the job. It is about what you can do for the employer.
    • Sort through and combine some of the qualifications as needed to tell a coherent story about your experiences. 
      • In some cases, if there are a lot of them, you can leave some off that seem less important. 
      • If you do not have a particular qualification, tell them about how you have an experience/skill that would be transferrable and explain that.
    • Be absolutely honest.
    • Avoid negative statements.
      • Instead of saying “Although I have never captured bats before, I am willing to learn”
      • Say “I am looking forward to applying what I know about capturing birds and rodents to capturing bats”.
  • Third paragraph:
    • Explain in a meaningful way why you want the job in terms of your career goals.
    • Avoid personal reasons (e.g., ever since I was a child, I have loved animals).
    • Bring in information about the job and the organization and explain how it fits with your interests.
    • If this is a temporary or entry-level position, talk about how this job will help you gain the skills and experiences needed for what you want to do next.
    • Again, show, don't tell.
  • Last paragraph:
    • Deal with logistics that are pertinent to the job and wrap up the letter on a positive note while thanking the reader.