Many freshmen students start out college undeclared; they aren’t sure what they want to major in and hope to use their first year to find something they want to study. Unfortunately, many students take up to 2 years to decide on a major, and they may even switch majors several times up into their junior year. This wastes a lot of time and money and can significantly delay graduation.
If you have no idea what you want to major in, one option you might consider is taking time off from college. If taking a break isn’t an option for you, doing your research and finding a major you can be passionate about should be your number one priority. The sooner you declare a major that you want to stick with, the more you can focus on taking the classes you need to graduate, allowing you to stay on track to graduate on time.
If you’re interested in exploring some of the less traditional careers in research, you’ve come to the right place. This feature on careers in research is just one in our series, “Undeclared,” which explores potential career options in different fields, from medicine to forensic science.
A Degree in Research
When most people think about a career in research, there is the tendency to consider it a dry and technical field. While there are certainly empirical elements to research, following this path can offer so much more. In fact, it’s more useful to think of this as an opportunity to follow your curiosity and discover more about subjects you have a passion for. Degree programs revolving around research give you the tools you need to go down the rabbit hole as deep as your curiosity will allow you.
In most cases, you won’t be pursuing a bachelor’s degree course specifically related to research in itself. Rather, it’s generally more useful to engage in a program focused on the area of research you think you’ll be interested in entering. This could be public health, physics, or perhaps an arts-related subject. You don’t need to be specific at this stage as to what the focus of your research will be. However, it’s helpful if you have some idea of the general area you’d like to research.
Formal education about research usually comes into play once you have access to graduate programs. A Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) or Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree course in your chosen specialist subject area will introduce you to some of the skills you’ll need to pursue your path toward research. For most people pursuing a career in research, though, a doctor in philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is the educational step solidifying your ability to design and complete a research project.
Clinical Researcher
Operating in a clinical setting is among the most popular career paths for those interested in research. A position in this field will generally see you studying diseases using systematic scientific research methodologies to gain a better understanding of the illness, how to diagnose it more effectively, and develop treatment and prevention. Professionals in this field have a vital role to play in supporting patient care and improving public health.
While most research roles have an impact, clinical research tends to be among those to directly change lives. Most recently, the development of the COVID-19 vaccine was spearheaded by the skills, knowledge, and dedication of teams of clinical researchers. Creating a safe and effective vaccine not only relies upon researchers undertaking initial studies before release but on continuing to review new data as it becomes available and establish whether there are any connections to reported risks. This can make the clinical researcher’s role important both from the perspective of developing treatments for illness but also combating misinformation.
The path to a career in this field begins with your choice of a university course. At the undergraduate level, it’s important to follow a program that gives you an understanding of areas relevant to clinical science such as anatomy, biology, biochemistry, microbiology, toxicology, pharmacology, or immunology. It is possible to begin your career from here by applying for a position as a clinical research associate (CRA) and building your research experience on the job. However, gaining a master’s or Ph.D. is generally the most common way to develop your research competencies.
Market Research Analyst
Businesses aren’t just successful due to the quality of their products or ideas. They need to be able to strategize their activities to make connections with consumers. Data on customer buying behavior is an increasingly valuable tool, with the ability to analyze trends among demographics, shopping habits, and engagement instrumental in driving decisions. As such, professionals who can effectively utilize digital analytics tools, apply research techniques, and create actionable reports are increasingly in demand. This is where a career as a market research analyst can be a lucrative path.
The day-to-day role of a market research analyst can be varied, depending on the needs of the businesses and industries you’ll be working with. You might be designing methods for gathering the most appropriate consumer data for a specific project or evaluating current approaches for efficacy and quality. Often, you’ll be expected to translate the results of your research and analysis into forms that are more easily digestible by non-experts.
Unlike clinical research, there are relatively few specific subject requirements for your path toward a market research analytics career. However, it can be useful to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a relevant area — finance, business statistics, and information technology degrees can all be good here. A master’s degree in marketing management or business analytics can further hone your research specializations.
Forensic Scientist
It may not be one of the first options that spring to mind, but forensic science can be a fascinating career in research. There are various specializations in the field — forensic ballistics, bloodstain pattern analysis, and document examination among them — and all rely on some form of research skill and analytical process at the core of the job. There’s also the opportunity for great variety in this area.
The research required for each branch of forensic science can vary significantly. As an entry-level forensic technician, you’re likely to be applying your analytic skills directly to crime scenes, taking time to thoroughly and carefully collect the types of evidence data that can impact a criminal case. In the laboratory environment, you’ll then pursue examinations and may have to perform further investigative research into similar past cases. You will also be expected to translate your research findings into reports that can be understood by investigators, attorneys, and juries.
The path to becoming a forensic science technician usually begins with gaining a bachelor’s degree in a life sciences field — like chemistry or biology. However, there is an increasing number of schools offering forensic science programs. If you’re planning to specialize further, a master’s or Ph.D. can be helpful, but not strictly necessary. Most forensic scientists develop training on the job and progress from there.
Conclusion
Research is an incredibly diverse profession, meaning you can specialize in anything from blood pattern analysis to market analytics. For those unsure of what career trajectory to follow, it’s a wise idea to first attend college, to gain a better understanding of your passions and explore areas you might not otherwise. Choosing the right college major is a big step in building a career you enjoy. Who knows, you might just find that research is right up your alley!
About the Author:
Jori Hamilton is a writer from the Pacific Northwest who has a particular interest in social justice, politics, education, healthcare, technology, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @ HamiltonJori.
