Jobs for the Major
How this major affects a job search
Getting your diploma with "Physiology" printed at the top makes you very marketable in the professional world. It doesn't just prove that you know the difference between the tibia and fibula, but also shows that you have the ability to understand complex scientific ideas and make sense of them.
This opens up paths in the hard sciences like research, but if you don't like working with little white mice every day, you can go into more personal professions like nursing.
Having a real understanding of the body allows you to either take steps to understand it further, or relay that knowledge to others. This means you can go into a career where you're with other people all the time, or not at all. Or you could go full Frankenstein and begin creating your own people, but we hope you'll at least read Mary Shelley's book first so you can see how poorly that will go.
From medical labs in top secret bases to offices teeming with children, the possibilities are endless for Physiology graduates. The degree itself will open many doors for you; it is just a matter of determining at which door you will knock.
Common Career Fields
Forensic Science: If you're a big fan of the law, but aren't quite Justice League material, a physiology degree could lead you into forensic science. All those CSI folks had to go through some serious education before they were qualified to identify the bad guys via cool sciencey tests.
Forensic science can be split into smaller disciplines, but the overall idea is that you use scientific means to come to indisputable conclusions, which will be the backbone of your physiology education.
Medical Research: If you've ever taken medicine to get over a cold or popped an Aspirin when you had a headache, you've enjoyed the fruits of medical researchers' labor. These professionals are on the forefront of technology in the medical world, and when breakthroughs occur, they will be the people to thank. From theoretical research to hands on tinkering, these researchers are constantly looking for ways to improve our way of life.
Nursing: Following a nursing track during your undergraduate work isn't the only way to get into a good nursing program. Showing admissions boards that you can handle a rigorous science-based education will prove to them that you can handle your own when it comes to nursing. Much of the knowledge overlaps from the Physiology classes, so it's a natural transition to make.
Nutrition: One of the biggest causes of health related issues in the United States stems from poor nutrition. Many of these issues arise through ignorance, as the people in question simply don't understand the basics of a healthy diet. As a nutritionist you can bring balance to these people's lives by custom tailoring their diets in a healthier direction.
After all, it is easier to skip the McDonald's in favor of a salad when you've got a nutritionist telling you why that is a better choice.
Occupational Therapy: This is a great career choice for people who love interacting with other people. The work can be done with young children all the way to the elderly, as all ages experience issues in this realm. You'll use your skills to aid people through the physical tasks of life.
A few examples include helping disabled children develop motor skills and rehabilitating injured people to get back to their normal routine. This is one of the careers that pays in both currency and gratitude.
Personal Training: Personal training certifications can be achieved without the hard science background of a Physiology degree, but the knowledge is extremely useful to have. People who aspire to be trainers will have a huge jump on those who are starting cold.
Even after attaining certification, who do you think you would rather train with: a guy that got certified two years ago, or the guy who got certified two years ago and got a Physiology degree? It speaks for itself.
Sleep Science: The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports that over 40 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. With the number of disorders creeping towards triple digits, it is easy to see why sleep science gets attention. Professionals in this domain seek to identify disorders, as well as cure or manage them.
If you've ever watched a show where a patient is forced to sleep in a monitored room overnight, this is a good example of the sort of work Sleep Scientists are involved with.
Current unemployment of the major
5.6%Percentage of majors who get a higher degree after college
55%Stats obtained from this source.