Science careers list

Lab technician looking into microscope

One degree - endless career options

Have you ever asked "what can I do with a science degree?" You're not alone - it's a common question we receive from high school students researching their career goals.

Such a broad question normally gets the less defined answer of "well, it depends..." But depends on what? Let's unpack that answer so that you can be confident that majoring in a science program is the right path for you.

Your career in science depends on three main factors

Science students may have a career goal in mind when they start university, like becoming a doctor, bio-chemist, or geoscientist. If you have a goal, that's great! And if you don't - but just know you enjoyed science in high school and want to continue towards a career in science, that's awesome too. Either way, we recommend you chat with an academic advisor to make sure you're selecting the right courses and making the most of your time at Waterloo.

For many students, three factors influence their career paths:

1 - YOUR SCIENCE MAJOR

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Your major will define the courses you take, the number of electives available to you, and how focused or broad your area of study will be. You'll start your major in first year. What you select will also influence your profs, classmates, and advisors.

2 - YOUR EXPERIENCES

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Your time in university isn't just lectures - you'll gain experience through areas like our co-op program, participation in clubs or science events, your labs, research/idea opportunities, volunteering, and/or part-time jobs.

3 - YOUR INTERESTS

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Your interests will determine your choices - such as the courses you'll take in your electives and the minors you declare. It'll also influence the friends you bond with, how you approach your work, and how you spend your free time.

All about the skills...

With all of these factors at play you'll gain skills that are unique to you. These skills are what'll help solidify the types of careers available to you. Maybe you minored in Biotechnology - opening up positions in microbiology or biomanufacturing. Perhaps you majored in Science and Business - opening up positions in marketing, accounting, or law. Or you volunteered in outreach - opening up positions in education or technical writing. With each new experience and opportunity, you'll open up a world of scientific careers that you may not have even heard about in high school.

And many of the skills you gain within your BSc degree are transferable in a variety of fields beyond science. 

SCIENCE SKILLS

  • Critical thinking
  • Experimental design
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  • Laboratory methodology
  • Time management
  • Research procedure
  • Problem solving
  • Applied data analysis
  • Chemical nomenclature
  • Modeling of scientific methods

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

  • Creativity
  • Qualitative analysis
  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Project management
  • Market analysis
  • Independent learning
  • Technical writing
  • Team work

And it's always changing...

Science is always at the apex of change - because new discoveries are being made every day. These discoveries mean new areas to explore, new products, and new jobs. And world events can shape humanity's need for scientific breakthroughs, such as pandemics, energy issues, resource depletion, or climate change. We'll require skilled and expert scientists who are able to shift quickly as our needs change.

Here at the University of Waterloo, we provide many opportunities to innovate, experiment, and disrupt, so that you gain the skills needed in the career fields of the future. Check out the careers that can shape the future! 

How to narrow down your choices

As you can see, having a degree in science means open doors and plenty of opportunity. If you need help narrowing down your choices, we have career advisors who'd be happy to discuss your options and how to showcase your skills and experience in a resume.

The careers of our graduates

Our graduates work in industries all over the world. Below are a variety of examples, and you can also check out our alumni for inspiration.

Biotechnology/Chartered Professional Accountancy

  • Controller, Trillium Therapeutics Inc.
  • Controller, Medical Pharmacies Group Inc.
  • Audit Associate, PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • Senior Accountant, Alternative Investments and Banking Group, KPMG, Bermuda
  • Senior Accountant, Stern Cohen LLP
  • Senior Staff Accountant/Supervisor, KPMG LLP
  • Senior Tax Consultant, Private Company Services, Deloitte, North York
  • Staff Accountant, KPMG
  • Tax Staff Accountant, Deloitte and Touche

Environmental Sciences

  • Aquatic Ecologist, Environment Canada
  • Brewer, Sleeman Breweries Limited
  • Education Coordinator, Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory
  • Environmental Consultant, TRW Canada Ltd.
  • Environmental Coordinator, Water Resources, City of Waterloo
  • Environmental Risk Analyst, CanTox Environmental Inc.
  • Environmental Scientist, Summit Environmental Consultants Inc.
  • Environmental Specialist, City of Calgary
  • Field and Lab Technician, Environment Canada
  • Geographical Information Systems Analyst, Matrix Solutions Inc.
  • Health & Safety Lead Investigator, Government of Alberta
  • Horticulturalist, Brownridge Greenhouses & Nursery Ltd.
  • Industrial Hygiene Specialist, Imperial Oil Limited
  • Laboratory Technician, Safety-Kleen, Oil Recovery Division
  • Medical Sales Representative, GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
  • Meteorologist, Independent Electricity Market Operator
  • Microbiologist/Waste Water Chemist, Omstead Foods Limited
  • Nature Interpreter, Laurel Creek Conservation Area
  • Pest Management, Health Canada
  • Project Manager, Watershed Planning, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
  • Staff Manager, Bell Canada, Environmental Services
  • Supervisor, Maxxam Analytics Inc.
  • Technical Writer, Patheon Inc.

Honours Science

  • Agricultural Advisor, Can Grow Inc.
  • Associate Director, Food Regulatory Program, Health Canada
  • Business Systems Analyst, City of Kitchener
  • Chemical Technician, Natural Resources Canada
  • Chiropractor, Chiropractic & Acupuncture Clinic
  • Coordinator for Distance Education, Michener Institute
  • Coordinator, Forests Without Borders, Canadian Ecology Centre
  • Data Analyst, Levi Strauss & Co.
  • Director of Engineering & Technology, Sterling Pulp Chemical Limited
  • Director of Operations, Toronto Research Chemicals Inc.
  • Director of Technical Services, Pepsi-Cola Canada Limited
  • Editor, Pearson Education Canada
  • Environmental Consultant, Western BioResources Consulting
  • Environmental Health & Safety Coordinator, Washington Mills
  • Environmental Officer, Ministry of Environment, Ontario
  • Fisheries Biologist, Henderson Paddon & Associates Ltd.
  • Food Specialist, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Forensics Document Examiner, Centre of Forensic Science
  • Forensics Lab Technician Manager, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  • Formulation Technician, Apotex Incorporated
  • Hatchery Technician, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Industrial Hygienist, Petro-Canada
  • Inspector, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
  • Instructor, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
  • Instructor, St. John Ambulance
  • IT Officer, Statistics Canada
  • Logistics Coordinator, Enviro-Test Laboratories
  • Manager, Nortel Networks Corporation
  • Manager of Process, 3M Canada Inc.
  • Medical Doctor, Private Practice
  • Medical Sales Representative, McNeil Consumer Healthcare
  • Medical Technologist, Kingston General Hospital
  • Microbiologist, Silliker Laboratories - Canada
  • Naturopathic Doctor, St. Jacobs Naturopathic Clinic
  • Network Laboratory Supervisor, Environment Canada
  • Optical Technologist, Photonics Research Ontario
  • Optometrist, Advanced Eye Care Centre
  • Pharmacist, CVS Pharmacy
  • Pharmacist, Shoppers Drug Mart
  • Physician, Brameast Family Physicians
  • Physician, Dr. Paul K. Fung
  • Plant Pathology Technician, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
  • Polysomnographic Technician, Bluewater Sleep Disorder Clinic
  • President, Spaans Research
  • President & C.E.O., Chiral Environmental Technologies Inc.
  • Quality Assurance Technologist, Campbell Soup Company Limited
  • Regional Wildlife Manager, Government of Manitoba
  • Reproductive Research Technician, University of Guelph
  • Research Manager, Parmalat
  • Safety & Environment Coordinator, TorPharm Inc.
  • Sales Representative, Pharmaceuticals, Merck Frosst Canada Inc.
  • Senior Research Technologist, DuPont Canada Inc.
  • Software Developer, Agfa Healthcare
  • Teacher, Mentor College
  • Teacher, Thames Valley District School Board
  • Technologist, Bio-Sciences Division, SGS Hong Kong Ltd.
  • Veterinarian, Heartland Veterinary Services
  • Vice-President, Simcoe Steel Ltd.
  • Waste Management Technician, Kingston Area Recycling Corporation

Learn more about Alan Shen, BSc Physics (1993)

Life Sciences — Biochemistry

  • Academic Counsellor, University of Waterloo
  • Bioinformatics Data Analyst, Lexicon Genetics Inc.
  • Chiropractor, Village Square Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Clinic
  • Clinical Research Associate, Moncoa Medical Research Inc.
  • DNA Forensic Technologist, The Centre for Forensic Sciences
  • Environmental Officer, Public Works Canada
  • Gene Library Developer, Bayer Diagnostics
  • Graduate Studies
  • Health Research Methodologist, GlaxoSmithKline Inc
  • ITC Fellow, Researcher Hungarian Academy of Science
  • Lab Technician, University of Calgary
  • Manager, Business Development and Marketing IDDS
  • Manager, Corporate Development & Communications Canadian Genetic Diseases Network
  • Manufacturing Associate, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • Medicinal Chemist, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
  • Microbiologist, Novocol Pharmaceutical of Canada Inc.
  • Molecular Research Technician, Princess Margaret Hospital
  • Professional Schools
  • Product Development Chemist, 3M of Canada Ltd.
  • Quality Assurance Manager. Cangel Inc.
  • R & D Chemist, Apotex Incorporated
  • Regulatory Affairs Officer, Procter & Gamble
  • Research and Development Chemist, Apotex Incorporated
  • Research Assistant, Harvard University
  • Research Technologist, Novopharm Limited
  • Sales Manager, DCL International Inc.
  • Sales Representative, AstraZeneca Canada Inc.
  • Scientist, HoffmannLaRoche Limited
  • Senior Scientist, Johns Hopkins University
  • Software Developer, PopWareInc.]
  • Sr. Scientist, Roche Molecular System Inc.
  • System Administrator, Inscriber Technology Corporation
  • Teacher, Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto
  • Technical Officer, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Technologist, Aventis Pasteur Ltd.
  • Toxicologist, Environment Canada

Life Sciences — Biology

  • Analytical Quality Resource Manager, Labatt's Ontario Breweries
  • Assistant Professor, Conrad Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology Centre
  • Assistant Seller, Cave Spring Cellars
  • Biotechnologist, H.J. Heinz Co. of Canada Ltd.
  • Cardiopulmonary Technologist, Toronto General Hospital
  • Chiropractor, Vail-Renfrew Chiropractic Clinic
  • Clinical Research Coordinator, Probity Medical Research
  • Denturist, Niagara Denture Clinic
  • DNA Forensic Technologist, The Centre for Forensic Sciences
  • Education Coordinator, Greater Vancouver Zoo
  • Environmental Advisor, TransCanada Pipelines Limited
  • Fisheries Biologist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Food Technologist, UBF Foodsolutions
  • Foreign Service Officer, Trade Commission, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
  • Genetic Researcher, Hospital for Sick Children
  • Genetics Technologist, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario
  • Laboratory Technologist, Hospital for Sick Children
  • Manager, Special Projects, Viventia Biotech Inc.
  • Microbiologist, Novocol Pharmaceutical of Canada Inc.
  • Operations Supervisor, Kraft Canada Inc.
  • Parks Warden, Parks Canada
  • Physiotherapist, ACT Health Group Corporation
  • Product Development Chemist, 3M of Canada Ltd.
  • Project Coordinator, BioBlox , Microbix Biosystems Inc.
  • Quality Assurance Analyst , Nestle Canada Inc.
  • Radiation Therapist, Princess Margaret Hospital
  • Regulatory Affairs Officer, Procter & Gamble
  • Research Technician, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
  • Research Technician, Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Research Technician, Mount Sinai Hospital
  • Science Teacher, Havergal College
  • Scientific Officer, Medical Research Council of Canada
  • Senior Project Manager, Zenon Environmental Inc.
  • Supervisor, Hemosol Inc.
  • Toxicologist, Environment Canada
  • Training Supervisor, Hemosol Inc.
  • Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy, Exicure Inc.
  • Virtual Science Education Specialist , Rocky View Virtual School

Learn more about Therese Hayes, MSc Microbiology & Immunology (1992) and Diego Garzon, BSc Biology (2000)

Life Sciences — Biomedical Sciences

  • Dentist, Young Street Dental Group
  • Epidemiologist, Brant County Health Unit
  • Physician, City of Oakville
  • Physiotherapist, Back Works Spinal & Sports Rehabilitation
  • Research Technician, Ottawa General Hospital Eye Institute
  • Respiratory Therapist, London Health Sciences Centre

Physical Sciences — Life Physics

  • Customer Support, Scientific instrumentation, Olympus
  • Health and Safety Officer, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
  • Medical Physicist, Cancer Centres
  • Product Developer, Christie Digital
  • Research Assistant, Neuraxon Inc.
  • Senior Scientist, Drug Discovery, Merck Frosst Canada

Life Sciences — Psychology

  • Addiction Counsellor, Royal Ottawa Hospital
  • Clinical Research Fellow, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
  • Community Leisure Access Coordinator, Canadian Mental Health Association
  • Coordinator, Teenage Parent Programs, YM-YWCA
  • Director of Athletics, St. John's-Kilmarnock School
  • Epidemiologist, Brant County Health Unit
  • Executive Director, Equip K.I.D.S. International
  • Geriatric Psychiatrist, Providence Care
  • Instructor, E.S.L., Brock University
  • Medical Sales Representative, GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
  • Occupational Therapist, Chedoke-McMaster Hospital
  • Research Assistant & Study Coordinator, Toronto General Hospital
  • Residential Counsellor, Community Living
  • Teacher, York Montissori Learning Centre
  • Usability Specialist, National Instruments

Physical Sciences — Chemistry

  • Analytical Chemist, GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
  • Applied Research Scientist, MDS Sciex
  • Assistant Research Chemist, Environment Canada
  • Chemist, Allelix Biopharmaceuticals
  • Chemist and Lab Technician, NPS Allelix Corp.
  • Chemistry Professor, University of Waterloo
  • Compliance Specialist, McNeil Consumer Healthcare
  • Data Analyst, IBM Canada Limited
  • Forensic Scientist, Bexar County Crime Lab
  • Inorganic Technician, Environmental Enforcement Services
  • Lawyer, Smart & Biggar Barristers
  • Materials Engineer, Canusa, Division of Shaw Industries Ltd.
  • Meteorologist, Independent Electricity Market Operator
  • Microbiologist/Waste Water Chemist, Omstead Foods Limited
  • Nuclear Operator, Ontario Power Generation
  • Pest Management, Health Canada
  • Product Development Chemist, 3M Canada Inc.
  • Product Specialist, MDS Sciex
  • Quality Assurance Specialist, Bausch & Lomb Canada Inc.
  • Quality Control Analytical Chemist, Torcan Chemical Limited
  • Research Technician, Dalhousie University
  • Research Technologist, Petro-Canada Inc.

Physical Sciences — Earth Sciences

  • Curator of Geology, New Brunswick Museum
  • Director of Special Projects, Agrico Canada Ltd.
  • Environmental Consultant, Golder Associates Limited
  • Environmental Geologist, Gamsby & Mannerow Limited
  • Environmental Geoscientist, Franz Environmental Inc.
  • Environmental Scientist, Conestoga-Rovers & Associates Limited
  • Environmental Technician, WESA Group Inc.
  • Exploration Geophysicist, Petro Canada
  • Field Technician, Stantec
  • Geologist, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.
  • Geologist, Lake Shore Gold Corp.
  • Geophysicist, Fugro Airborne Surveys
  • Geosystems Analyst, Ager, Berretta and Ellis Inc.
  • Head, Soils and Aggregates, Ministry of Transportation
  • Hydrogeologist, Alberta Energy & Utilities Board
  • Hydrographer, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey
  • Lab Technician, Natural Resources Canada
  • Mine Geologist, Goldcorp Inc.
  • Naturalist, Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
  • Operations Manager, Pro Geo Consultants
  • President, Huron Energy Corporation
  • President, Quantec Logging Services Inc.
  • President, Waterloo Geophysics Inc.
  • Professor, University of Waterloo
  • Senior Hydrogeologist, Gartner Lee Limited
  • Senior Vice-President, Marsh Canada Ltd.
  • Seismologist, Geological Survey of Canada
  • Software Support Manager, Lakes Environmental Consultants
  • Soil Physicist, Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada
  • Teacher, Waterloo Region District School Board
  • Wellsite Evaluation Coordinator, Shell Canada Ltd.

Physical Sciences — Materials and Nanosciences

  • Decontamination Scientist, RTI International
  • Materials Scientist, Agilent Technologies
  • Specialty Coatings Technician, Vive Nano

Physical Sciences — Mathematical Physics

  • Astrophysics Research, University of Waterloo
  • Biophysicist, Toronto Western Hospital
  • Executive Director, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
  • Reactor Physics Analyst, AECL Candu
  • Software Developer, Waterloo Maple Inc.

Learn more about Jonathan Hackett, PhD Mathematical Physics (2011)

Physical Sciences — Medicinal Chemistry

  • Analytical Chemist, GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
  • Applied Research Scientist, MDS Sciex
  • Chemist, Allelix Biopharmaceuticals
  • Inorganic Technician, Environmental Enforcement Services

Physical Sciences — Physics

  • Astronomer, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
  • Astrophysics Research, University of Waterloo
  • Biophysicist, Toronto Western Hospital
  • Business Systems Analyst, OPSEU Pension Trust
  • Computer Programmer, Nortel Networks Corporation
  • Database Administrator, Merrill Lynch Canada Inc.
  • Electrician, Budd Canada Inc.
  • Executive Director, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics
  • Geophysicist , Hunt Oil Company
  • Magnetic Specialist, Pressure Pipe Inspection Co.
  • Mathematics Teacher, Singapore American School
  • Optical Module Designer, Innovance Networks Inc.
  • Optical Network Engineer, Nortel Networks Corporation
  • Optical Systems Engineer, Innovance Networks Inc.
  • Physics Teacher, Ridley College
  • Product Development Scientist, JDS Uniphase Corporation
  • Product Manager, Campbell Soup Company Limited
  • Professor, Centennial College A.A. & T.
  • Programmer/Analyst, PHH Vehicle Management Services
  • Programmer/Analyst, Powel Technology Inc
  • Reactor Physics Analyst, AECL Candu
  • Senior e-Commerce Consultant, Information Evolution Inc.
  • Senior Program Scientist in Space Exploration, Space Astronomy Program, Canadian Space Agency
  • Software Developer, Telesat Canada
  • System Engineer, Ontario Power Generation
  • Teacher, Colegio Americano
  • Technical Writer, Newbridge Networks Corporation

Learn more about Mike Young, MSc Theoretical Physics (2006)

Physical Sciences - Physics & Astronomy

  • Aerospace Scientist, NASA

  • Astronomer, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

  • Hazard Analyst/Modeller, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research
  • Laboratory Manager, Remote Sensing
  • Researcher, Canadian Space Agency

Science and Business

  • Assistant Brand Manager, Proctor and Gamble
  • Associate Director, Bell Mobility
  • Business Analyst, Medcan Health Management Inc.
  • Business Analyst, Sentinelle Medical Inc.
  • Business Systems Analyst, Newbridge Networks Corporation
  • Commodity Management Specialist, Celestica Inc.
  • Economic Analyst, Finance, City of Brampton
  • European Equity Trader, Brockhouse Cooper Inc.
  • Financial Advisor, Rathore Associates Asset Management Ltd.
  • Lab Analyst, Pinchin Environmental Ltd.
  • Manager of Information Technology, Hong Kong Philharmonic Society Ltd.
  • Medical Representative, Zeneca Pharma Inc.
  • Product Disease Specialist, Merck Frosst Canada
  • Production Supervisor, Navistar International Corporation Canada
  • Project Analyst, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board
  • Project Coordinator, Patheon
  • Project Coordinator, PDI Research Inc.
  • Public Relations Consultant, Over Cat Communications
  • Research Manager, The On-Site Group Inc.
  • Senior Consultant, Deloitte & Touche LLP
  • Stability Coordinator, Patheon
  • Systems Analyst, Material Group., Smiths Industries Aerospace
  • Technical Sales Representative, Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc.

Science and Aviation

  • Aerial Surveying
  • Aircraft Manufacturers (commercial and general aviation)
  • Aircraft Museums
  • Aircraft Parts Manufacturers
  • Aircraft Sales and Technical Support
  • Air Traffic Control (Airports)
  • Air Transport Associations
  • Aviation Engine Manufacturers
  • Aviation Headset Manufacturers (also technical support, ergonomics, sales)
  • Aviation Materials (aluminum, steel, carbon fibre, plastics, titanium, base metals, glass, polymers, etc.
  • Avionics (Aviation Instrument) Manufacturers (technical support, ergonomics, sales)
  • Canadian Space Agency
  • Civil Aviation (Transport Canada), Civil Aviation Safety Services
  • Coast Guard
  • Communication and Navigation Industries
  • Communications Satellites
  • Computer Cartography Industry (maps for Aviation)
  • Environmental Companies, Agencies and Consultants
  • Firefighting
  • Flight School Intstuctor
  • Flight Simulator Manufacturers
  • Floatplane Pilot
  • Meteorological Services (Environment Canada; NavCan aviation weather)
  • Military
  • Mining Companies, Exploration
  • National Research Council (NRC) — Aerospace Research
  • Natural Resource Agencies and Government Ministries; Fisheries and Oceans
  • Remote Sensing Device Industry
  • Search and Rescue
  • The Airline Industry
  • Transportation Safety

Professional programs requiring previous university study.

Pharmacy — Doctor of Pharmacy (OD)

  • Clinical Pharmacist, Hamilton Health Sciences
  • Designated Pharmacy Manager, Canadian Addiction Treatment Pharmacy
  • Instructor, University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
  • Registered Pharmacist, Shoppers Drug Mart

Optometry — Doctor of Optometry (OD)

  • Assistant Professor, New England College of Optometry
  • Instructor, Southern College of Optometry
  • Registered Optometrist/Clinical Director, TLC Moncton Inc.