The  Microbiology  major  deals  with  microscopic  organisms,  such  as  bacteria,  fungi,  algae,  protozoa,  &  
viruses.  Microbiology  students  study  microbial  growth,  survival,  metabolism,  genetics,  and  physiology,  
while  examining  the  organism’s  relationship  to  the  environment,  biotechnology,  and  diseases.  Many  
microbiologist  focus  on  a  specialized  field  in  microbiology  that  can  be  used  in  hospital/clinical  
laboratories,  the  environment,  the  food  industry,  research  laboratories,  and  in  colleges/universities.  

Some  Characteristics  of  Microbiology  Majors:     Professional:  

♦ Interest  in  microorganisms     American  Assoc.  for  the  Advancement  of  Science    
♦ Enjoy  working  in  a  laboratory   American  Society  for  Biochemistry  and  Molecular  
♦ Desire  to  understand  how  microbes  cause  diseases        Biology  
♦ Desire  for  intellectual  growth         American  Society  for  Microbiology  
♦ Interest  in  government,  academic,  or  private  jobs   Association  for  Clinical  Biochemistry  
♦ Precision  and  attention  to  details          
♦ Inquisitive     Careers  in  Microbiology:    
  Employment:
What  You  Gain  From  Studying  Microbiology:     Microbiology  can  be  used  in  medical,  academic,  
Knowledge:   veterinary,  environmental,  public  health,  food,  and  
The  Microbiology  major  prepares  students  to  pursue   pharmaceutical  industries  to  examine  the  way  
medical,  dental,  and  other  health-­‐professional   microbes  or  microorganisms  affect  health  care,  
schools,  and  graduate  schools  in  microbiology,   products,  animals,  the  environment,  and  the  food  
molecular  biology,  biochemistry,  and  related   supply.  Many  entry  level  microbiology  jobs  accept  
disciplines.  The  major  provides  intensive  training  in   a  Bachelor’s  degree.  You  can  advance  from  entry  
modern  microbiology,  including  cutting-­‐edge  research   level  to  higher-­‐level  positions  with  additional  
in  genomics  and  genetic  engineering.   education.    
   
Skills:   Need  Bachelor’s  Degree              Need  Further  Education  
♦ Critical  thinking  and  problem  solving     Agriculturist     Forensic  scientist  
♦ Work  independently  and  on  a  team     Biotechnologist       Genetic  engineer  
♦ Bacteria  &  virus  isolation  and  identification   Brew  master   Immunologist  
♦ Culture  microorganisms   Clinical  lab  tech                             Medical  researcher  
♦ Microscopy  techniques   Clinical  trials  asst.     Medical  tech    
♦ Operate  scientific  lab  equipment    
Environ.  scientist       Parasistologist  
Food  microbiologist     Pathologist  
♦ Record  and  analyze  data  
Geneticist       Phlebotomist  
♦ Oral  and  written  communication    
Histotechnologist     Physician  
 
Lab  coordinator/tech     Physician  asst.  
Participate  in  Student  &  Professional  Organizations:    
Microbiologist       Professor  
Student  (Sponsored  by  Bio.  Sci.  Dept):  
Mycologist         Public  health  tech  
Biology  Club    
Quality  assurance     Virologist  
Pre-­‐Vet  Club     Research  Asst/tech  
Tri-­‐Beta  Honors  Society     Technical  sales            
              
Learn  More  About  Microbiology  careers:      
Biological  Sciences  Advisors:       Langley  A258   research  experience  program  (REU,  fellowship,  co-­‐
www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/advising   op)  on  or  off-­‐campus.  Check  deadlines  early.  
  ♦ www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/research  
♦ Join  the  Bio.  Newsletter  for  announcements   ♦ www.asundergrad.pitt.edu/our/research  
♦ Get  advising  info.  before  &  after  declaring  major   ♦ www.undergradresearch.pitt.edu/research-­‐
♦ Learn  about  useful  courses   opportunities/    
♦ Inquire  about  research  &  internship  opportunities   ♦ www.fws.gov/northeast/youth/college.html  
   
Career  Development:           WPU  2nd  Floor   Undergraduate  Teaching  Assistant  (UTA)  
www.careers.pitt.edu/   Being  an  undergraduate  teaching  assistant  is  a  
      terrific  way  to  share  your  knowledge,  gain  
♦ Meet  with  a  Career  Counselor  (in  person  or  virtual)   confidence,  and  prepare  yourself  for  leadership  
♦ Take  interest  inventories  and  self-­‐assessment  tests     roles.  Many  courses  utilize  UTAs,  and  you  should  
♦ Assistance  w/  CVs,  resumes,  &  cover  letters   contact  the  instructor  directly.  
♦ Internship  placement  (guaranteed)   www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/uta  
♦ Employment  search  –  via  Future  Links  &  Pitt    
♦ Job  shadowing  program   Places  Microbiology  Majors  Have  Interned:  
♦ Career  fairs   GSPH  –Dept.  of  Infectious  Disease  &  Microbiology    
    Carnegie  Science  Center      
What  You  Can  Do  Now:     School  of  Medicine  –  Dept.  of  Pharmacology  
♦ Gain  research  experience  by  teaming  with  a  Biology   Starkist  Co.  –  Product  Development    
               (or  related  field)  professor  and  conducting  research      
Tutoring  &  Study  Resources  
♦ Get  an  internship  at  the  CDC,  NIH,  hospital/clinic,  
Academic  Resource  Center  (ARC)  
research  lab,  public  health  dept,  forensics  lab,  
Calculus  &  Statistics  Labs  
medical  school,  or  Bio.  Engineering  company  
Fish  Bowl  –  Chemistry  Dept.  
♦ Get  a  part-­‐time  or  summer  job  in  a  lab,  industrial   Learning  Communities  –  various  residence  halls  
company,  vet  clinic,  or  research  institute   Math  Assistance  Center  
♦ Study  abroad  to  broaden  cultural  perspective  and     Writing  Center  
gain  international  experience    
  This  handout  provides  a  brief  sample  of  skills,  jobs,  
Ways  To  Acquire  Skills  in  Microbiology:     and  tips  for  individuals  pursuing  a  degree  in  this  
Internships   major.  It  is  not  an  exhaustive  listing,  but  it  gives  
Internships  provide  hands-­‐on  experience  in  an  area  that   initial  insight  into  a  particular  career  field  that  
interests  you  as  a  potential  career.  To  find  a  biology   would  employ  the  skills  and  knowledge  gained  
related  internship  speak  with  a  Bio.  Sci.  advisor  or  a  Career   through  this  major.  Contact  the  Biological  Sciences  
Development  advisor,  and  visit  the  links  below.     Advisors  if  you  have  any  questions.  
♦ www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/research/outsid  
e-­‐pitt  
♦ www.biology.pitt.edu/undergraduate/research-­‐
internships/starting-­‐intern  
 
Research  
Various  opportunities  exist  for  students  to  participate  in    
research  experiences  outside  of  the  classroom  to  develop    
an  understanding  of  inquiry  based  research.  Research  can    
be  performed  on  campus  during  the  term  for  credit  or  no    
credit,  or  during  the  summer  as  part  of  an  undergraduate