Who you are matters
Your Science degree is just one part of what you have to offer. You also bring skills and knowledge from experiences you’ve had, places you’ve been, and the values you share with family, friends, and community.
Reflecting on your skills and interests can help you make life and career decisions.
- Identify your values (pdf)
Clarifying your interests and values can help you determine career possibilities that are a good fit for you. - Know your strengths
Purchase the CliftonStrengths assessment tool ($28 CAD) using your student email address to identify and describe your talents.
Find your competitive edge
Throughout your Science degree, you’ll develop specific skills that employers are looking for when hiring graduates, including:
- Collecting and observing data with precision and accuracy
- Analyzing and interpreting data
- Understanding core concepts and methods within a scientific discipline
- Applying computational, mathematical, and statistical reasoning to a variety of problems
- Assessing and solving complex problems
- Conducting field and lab research
- Thinking analytically and critically
- Writing effectively to communicate knowledge to a broad range of audiences
- Collaborating with others on projects and assignments
Get experience
UBC offers many opportunities for Science students to build their careers.
Workplace experience
- Work Learn
Build work experience through a part-time, on campus job. - CareersOnline
Browse and apply for work or volunteer positions on UBC’s online career resources platform. - UBC Science Co-op
Work in your area of study while completing your degree.
Research
From volunteering in a lab to getting a research award, there are many possibilities to build your undergrad research experience and prepare you for graduate school or careers in research.
Involvement and leadership
Connect your academic learning to experiences outside of the classroom. Take initiative to engage in different communities to strengthen your communication and collaboration skills.
International experience
Living, studying, and working abroad build traits employers are looking for when hiring. Show employers you are adaptable, can work independently, and have global experience.
Build your network
Friends, family members, TAs, and other people you meet can help you navigate your career questions. Find out possibilities and learn from the experiences, stories, and insights of others.
Use your toolkit
- Career events and workshops
- Career resources for students from historically marginalized groups
- Guide to job searching
- Networking strategies
- Tips for resumes and cover letters
- Curricula Vitae
- Interview preparation
- Skills inventory worksheet (pdf)
- Mindsets for career confidence (pdf)
- Career advising
Find your specialization
Dig a little deeper into the skills and perspectives graduates from your specialization bring to the world of work.
Earth Sciences
- Atmospheric Science
- Earth and Ocean Sciences
- Environmental Sciences
- Geographical Sciences
- Geological Sciences
- Geophysics
- Oceanography
- Behavioural Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biophysics
- Biotechnology
- Cellular and Physiological Sciences
- Chemistry
- Cognitive Systems
- Forensic Science
- Microbiology and Immunology
- Pharmacology