Life and Physical Sciences

• Biological Technician
• Laboratory Technician/Research Laboratory Technician
• Research Technologist
• Science Writer
• Geologist
• Data Scientist
• Clinical Research/Clinical Assistant
• Product Development
• Regulatory Affairs Scientist
• Lab Manager/Coordinator
• Science Tutor
• Sustainability Coordinator
• Pharmaceutical Sales

Majors & Minors

• Biological Sciences
• Chemistry
• Computational Biology
• Ecology & Evolution
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology
• Geology
• Environmental Science
• Physics & Astronomy
• Neuroscience

Certificates

• Conceptual Foundations of Medicine
• Quantum Computing and Quantum Information

Rotate through lab experiences – Research rotation programs or shadowing can expose you to different fields.

Explore public health, biotech, or forensic electives – These offer applied pathways beyond med school or academia.

Read scientific journals & popular science – Stay curious and aware of cutting-edge discoveries and real-world applications.

Join science outreach clubs – Teaching others can help you deepen your knowledge and build communication skills.

Seek shadowing opportunities – Whether in clinics, labs, or museums, real-world exposure builds clarity.

Understand different graduate paths early – From PhDs to professional programs, learn what fits your interests and goals.

• Research labs – Pitt Academic Departments
• Research labs – Industry such as PPG, Covestro, Almatis, UPMC, AHN and Highmark
• NSF and NIH
• Biotechnology companies
• Pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca and Merck
• Clinical positions
• Lab tech positions
• Pre-Health CANVAS resource page

• Computational Health Sciences Club
• American Chemical Society Student Affiliates
• Academic Society of Biological Sciences
• AIP – The American Institute of Physics
• APS – American Physical Society
• SFN- Society for Neuroscience
• PittServes
• Student Research Assistant
• General Resource Pages
• Pre-Health CANVAS resource page
• Research Toolkit

Take BIOSC 0150/0160 (Foundations of Biology) – Core starting point for majors in life sciences.

Explore research – Get matched with labs early via the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR).

Join the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) or Pitt Biological Sciences Club – Connect with peers and career ideas.

Shadow at hospitals – Via Health Sciences Advising or career fairs.

Participate in First-Year Science Academies – Early exposure to lab tours, career talks, and peer mentors.

Attend SciTech Week and Pitt’s Research Fairs – Great for discovering faculty projects and student opportunities.

• Faculty advisors and lab PIs in biological sciences, neuroscience, chemistry, etc
• TAs and graduate students – Many are pursuing careers students may want to explore.
• Staff in the Health Sciences Advising Office
• Researchers at UPMC, Pitt Med, Magee-Womens Research Institute
• Alumni in healthcare, biotech, or research roles (via Pitt Commons)
• Student org leaders in AMSA, Neuroscience Club, Women in STEM
• LinkedIn – Alumni Tool
• Handshake – attend networking and panels
• Internship and Career Fairs
• Local Community Professionals/ Clinical settings/Industry
• Department and Conference sessions, symposia and poster sessions
• Pitt Chapter for Professional Organizations

• Secure lab placements and research roles – Many students find their first research opportunities by talking to faculty, TAs, or lab peers.
• Clarify your career direction – Learn the differences between clinical, research, biotech, public health, and academic paths.
• Strengthen grad school or pre-health applications – Networking yields strong recommendation letters and insider guidance.
• Improve scientific communication – Mentors help you learn how to present your work clearly to peers and professionals.
• Join research communities – Building relationships helps you become part of teams, conferences, or publications.
• Access hidden opportunities – Many research jobs, shadowing placements, or scholarships are shared through word-of-mouth.

Join science-based student organizations – Groups like AMSA, biology club, or chemistry society foster peer connections.

Connect with TAs and grad students – They often share practical advice and research opportunities.

Present at research conferences – Great for visibility and networking.

Ask about research during office hours – Professors appreciate curious, proactive students.

Shadow professionals in labs or clinics – Personal connections are key to access.

Explore interdepartmental centers – Bioethics, neuroscience, or data science centers often bridge multiple disciplines.

• Create the Good: Find Volunteer Opportunities Near You
• Science Careers
• Physics and Astronomy Career Guide
• Neuroscience Career Guide and Resources
• Jobs & Internships for College Students and Recent Grads | WayUp
• Pathways to Science
• Medzilla  
• Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse
• Chemistry Resource Hub
• Buzzfile
• BioSpace
• Bioinformatics/Computational Biology

• Build Relationships with Research Faculty Early: Volunteer, join lab meetings, attend office hours – show genuine interest
• Network with Graduate Students and Postdocs: Build rapport during lab tours, tutoring sessions, research symposia
• Attend Departmental and Conference Seminars and Poster Sessions: Stay afterward to introduce yourself to speakers or guests from industry and academia
• Leverage Pitt Commons & LinkedIn Alumni Tool: Conduct Informational Interviews with Professionals
• Connect through professional organizations: these offer mentorship programs, conference-based networking and job boards
• Cold Email Principal Investigators (PIs) at UPMC and AGH

Apply to summer research programs (REUs, NIH, NSF) – Early lab work helps you stand out for grad school or jobs.

Keep a research/clinical journal – Reflect on what you’re learning to improve personal statements and interviews.

Learn how to read and present scientific literature – A must for grad school and lab interviews.

Build a personal portfolio of posters, papers, or data visualizations – Great for applications and interviews.

Start publishing or contributing to science blogs/journals – Communicating your science is a vital, standout skill.

Track skills like lab techniques or software (e.g., R, SPSS) – Add these to your resume as you master them.