How a Microbiology Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Microbiology majors have obtained the necessary skills to enter many science or health care fields. The majority of microbiology studies are about microorganisms, especially bacteria, fungi and any other organisms too small to see with the naked eye. Students become knowledgeable in immunology, the study of the immune system, and its encounters with microbes. They also learn about viruses and diseases that are spread by unseen organisms. Students often specialize in a particular area of microbiology, such as veterinary microbiology, microbial physiology and cellular microbiology.

Best Career Paths for Microbiology Majors
Since the field of microbiology is constantly advancing and changing, microbiology students can add a great amount of knowledge and insight to this complex field. The best career paths for microbiology majors are:

• Microbiologist. Microbiologists specialize in microscopic organisms and their effects on human, animal and plant life. A microbiologist works with larger organisms and enormous populations of protein, called bacteria. They understand the growth, spread, and death of bacteria, fungi and other microscopic organisms that can affect humans. A microbiologist spends a great deal of his or her time in a laboratory, using nutrient plates to grow microscopic organisms in a controlled environment to be studied. They are well versed in the use of microscopy and staining techniques, which is the use of colored molecules to determine what type of bacteria is present in a contaminated culture and to differentiate components of other molecules. This procedure is used most often by microbiologists to color in certain parts of a bacterium in order to identify it as dangerous or harmless. The majority of microbiologists specialize in environmental, food, agricultural or industrial microbiology. Microbiologists can use their trained skills and knowledge of microbes and bacteria to determine contaminants found on materials or foods intended for human use. They may be hired by government agencies or companies that need sanitation checks, or need to verify the cause for an outbreak of a disease or illness. Microbiologists made an average salary of $64,350 in 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Microbiology Technologist. Microbiology technologists study and identify bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. They perform many bacteriological, virological and parasitological tests to identify organisms and determine their safety. Microbiology technologists, working in medical and clinical labs, will analyze human or animal specimens in an autopsy, diagnostic examination, or directly from the patients. In this work setting, they will most likely be supervised by a laboratory director. However, they may be in charge of instructing medical lab students and other medical workers in lab experiments. Microbiology technologists may work in the pharmaceutical and medical device settings within hospitals, private clinics and physicians' office laboratories. Microbiology technologists who worked in medical and clinical labs, made an average salary of $35,380 in 2008, according to the Bureau.

How to Market Your Microbiology Degree
Microbiology programs prepare you to enter various science jobs, but you must know how to market your degree first. Promote the science skills you've obtained while in school, and any experiments that enhanced your learning, as well as internships or work related experience. Also, promote your ability to think critically, solve problems and offer practical biology knowledge to the workplace.