myCSUSM
Career Exploration
- Biology and Biotechnology Majors
Our Biology and Biotechnology programs open up a multitude of doors for students who are interested in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, and environmental/ecological studies. It is a vast major with many pathways, so make sure you are exploring all paths to get the most out of your degree.
Professions
- Lab Assistant
- Quality Assurance Associate
- Research Assistant/Associate
- Research Scientist (PhD)
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist/Scientists
- Microbiologists
- Dentists
- Physicians
- Physician Assistant
- Science Writer
- Veterinarian
- Epidemiologists
- Medical Scientists
- Wildlife Biologists
Employers
- Food Processing and Safety
- Public Health Departments
- Private Research Institutions
- Research in Universities
- National Institute of Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Agriculture
- Hospitals/Clinics
- Medical schools
- Veterinary hospitals
- Zoos and Aquariums
- Wildlife Preserves and Parks
- Conservation Agencies
- Botanical Gardens
Local Employers
- Illumina
- Pfizer
- Qualcomm
- Thermo Fischer Scientific
- Catalent
- Sorrento Therapeutics
- Takeda
- Salk Institute
- Viacyte
Want to take a deeper look into the outlook of Biology careers? BIOL Careers Outlook
Want to take a deeper look into the outlook of Biotechnology careers? BIOT Careers Outlook
Gaining Experience and Getting Involved
During your time here at CSUSM you will develop your STEM skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Make the most out of your major and get involved with clubs, organizations, research opportunities, internships and more!
Check out our undergraduate research opportunities:
- Center for Training, Research, and Educational Excellence (CTREE)
- Faculty Directory | Biology | CSUSM
- Faculty & Staff | Biotechnology | CSUSM
Join a student org:
- Chemistry/Biology Pre-Grad-Society
- Pre-Dental Society
- Pre-Health Society
- Women in STEM
- Out in STEM
Contact your undergraduate and faculty advisors:
- Undergraduate – Kim Prince and Kitsya Macias
- Biology Faculty Advisors
We also have a Microsoft Teams channel just for Biology majors. Contact traceyb@csusm.edu to join!
There is also an email list for biology and biotechnology opportunities you can sign up for! Contact mpalanki@csusm.edu to join.
Want to be successful in STEM? Check out the Biology Student Success page for tips.
- Biochemistry and Chemistry Majors
Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the chemical processes within and related to living organisms. Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes that matter can undergo when it is subject to different environments and conditions. Biochemists and Chemists work in a variety of fields, including research and development, quality control, manufacturing, environmental protection, consulting, and law.
Professions
- Laboratory Technicians
- Biomedical Scientists
- Toxicologists
- Forensic Scientists
- Microbiologists
- Agricultural Scientists
- Biochemical Engineers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Pharmaceutical Researchers
- Physicians
- Dentists
- Medical Scientists
- Science Writer
- Veterinarian
- Research Scientist (PhD)
Employers
- Hospitals
- Education
- Cosmetics
- Forensics
- Drug discovery and development
- Universities
- Food and Drug Administration
- Department of Agriculture
- Consumer Chemical Manufacturers
- Basic Chemical Manufacturers
- Specialty Chemical Manufacturers
- Scientific nonprofit organizations
- S. Department of Energy Science
Local Employers
- Illumina
- Pfizer
- Qualcomm
- Thermo Fischer Scientific
- Biogen
- Takeda
- Gilead
- Rosch
Want to take a deeper look into the outlook of Biochemistry and Chemistry careers? BIOCHEM and CHEM Careers Outlook
Gaining Experience and Getting Involved
During your time here at CSUSM you will develop your STEM skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Make the most out of your major and get involved with clubs, organizations, research opportunities, internships and more!
Check out our undergraduate research opportunities and mentorship opportunities:
- Center for Training, Research, and Educational Excellence (CTREE)
- Chemistry/Biochemistry Student Research Resources
- Tips for Success in Science | Chemistry and Biochemistry | CSUSM
- Chemistry/Biochemistry Targeted Learning Community
- Choosing a Faculty Member | Chemistry and Biochemistry | CSUSM
Join a student org:
- American Chemical Society
- Chemistry/Biology Pre-Grad-Society
- Pre-Dental Society
- Pre-Health Society
- Women in STEM
- Out in STEM
- Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
Contact your undergraduate and faculty advisors:
- Undergraduate – Kim Prince and Kitsya Macias
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sajith Jayasinghe (sjayasin@csusm.edu)
There is also a Chemistry/Biochemistry Discord. Please contact sjayasin@csusm.edu to join!
- Computer Science and Information Systems Majors
Computer Science utilizes the power of computers in the problem-solving process while dealing with the constraints of technology. Our CS program at CSUSM prepares students for careers in applications development, systems analysis, and software engineering, as well as for entrance into graduate and professional schools. Applications of Computer Science knowledge include almost every field from business to education, from humanities to social sciences, or from natural sciences to engineering.
Professions
- Computer Programmers
- Computer Network Architects
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Software Developers
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
- Information Security Engineers
- Computer Hardware Engineers
- Principal Systems Engineers
- Machine Learning Engineers
- Firmware Engineers
- Research and Development Scientists
Employers
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Federal Government
- Local Government
- Department of Defense
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and Warehousing
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services
- Software Publishers
- Wired and Wireless Telecommunication Carriers
- Businesses/Corporations
- High Tech Start Ups
Local Employers
- Amazon
- Apple
- Boeing
- Intel
- Pacific Gas & Electric
- Nvidia
- Cisco
- General Atomics
Want to take a deeper look into the outlook of Computer Science careers? CS Careers Outlook
Want to take a deeper look into the outlook of Computer Science Information Systems Careers? CIS Careers Outlook
Gaining Experience and Getting Involved
During your time here at CSUSM you will develop your STEM skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Make the most out of your major and get involved with clubs, organizations, research opportunities, internships and more!
Check out our undergraduate research opportunities and mentorship opportunities:
- Women’s Hackathon
- Center for Training, Research, and Educational Excellence (CTREE)
- Faculty/Staff | Computer Science | CSUSM
Join a student org:
- Association for Computing Machinery
- Cybersecurity Club
- IEEE CSUSM Student Branch
- Google Developer Student Club
Contact your undergraduate and faculty advisors:
- Undergraduate – Renae Scott and Susie Nordstrom
- Current Students | Computer Science | CSUSM
- Software Engineering Majors
Engineering is broadly described as the creative application of scientific and mathematical principles used to design, develop, improve, and analyze structures, machines, devices, components, systems, and industrial processes useful to society. Software engineering is the application of engineering principles and techniques in the process of software design, development, construction and maintenance. With computing as its foundation, software engineering seeks to develop and use systematic models and reliable techniques to produce high-quality software.
Professions
- Software Engineer
- Java Developers
- Full Stack Engineers
- Platform Software Engineers
- Android Developers
- Python Software Engineers
- DevOps Engineers
- iOS Developers
- Cloud Software Engineers
Employers
- Universities
- Businesses/Corporations
- Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing
- Aerospace Product manufacturing
- Federal Government
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment manufacturing
- Industrial Machinery manufacturing
- Commercial Machinery and Equipment Repair/Maintenance
- Wired and Wireless Telecommunication Carriers
Local Employers
- Amazon
- Apple
- Nordson
- Viasat
- Intel
- Qualcomm
- Hunter Industries
- General Atomics
Want to take a deeper look at the outlook of Software Engineering careers? SE Careers Outlook
Gaining Experience and Getting Involved
During your time here at CSUSM you will develop your STEM skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Make the most out of your major and get involved with clubs, organizations, research opportunities, internships and more!
Check out our undergraduate research opportunities and mentorship opportunities:
Join a student org:
- CSUSM IEEE Student Branch
- Electrical Engineering Club
- Google Student Developer Club
- Women in Engineering Student Branch Affinity Group
- National Society of Black Engineers
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Contact your undergraduate and faculty advisors:
- Undergraduate - Jeffrey Morales (jmorales@csusm.edu)
- Software Engineering- Computer Science Department Chair Dr. Ali Ahmadinia (aahmadinia@csusm.edu)
We also have a Student Organization Engineering Discord. Please contact jmorales@csusm.edu to join!
- Electrical Engineering Majors
Engineering is broadly described as the creative application of scientific and mathematical principles used to design, develop, improve, and analyze structures, machines, devices, components, systems, and industrial processes useful to society. Electrical engineering is the field of engineering that deals with the application and study of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. It originated as a branch of physics and has dramatically changed society.
Professions
- Design Engineers
- Product Engineers
- Applications Engineers
- Systems Engineers
- Test Engineers
- Hardware Engineers
- Network Engineers
- Controls Engineers
- Analog/Mixed Signal Processing Engineers
- Process Control Engineers
Employers
- Universities
- Businesses/Corporations
- Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing
- Aerospace Product manufacturing
- Federal Government
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment manufacturing
- Industrial Machinery manufacturing
- Commercial Machinery and Equipment Repair/Maintenance
- Wired and Wireless Telecommunication Carriers
Local Employers
- Amazon
- Apple
- Nordson
- Viasat
- Intel
- Qualcomm
- Hunter Industries
- General Atomics
Want to take a deeper look at the outlook of Electrical Engineering careers? EE Careers Outlook
Gaining Experience and Getting Involved
During your time here at CSUSM you will develop your STEM skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Make the most out of your major and get involved with clubs, organizations, research opportunities, internships and more!
Check out our undergraduate research opportunities and mentorship opportunities:
Join a student org:
- CSUSM IEEE Student Branch
- Electrical Engineering Club
- Google Student Developer Club
- Women in Engineering Student Branch Affinity Group
- National Society of Black Engineers
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Contact your undergraduate and faculty advisors:
- Undergraduate - Jeffrey Morales (jmorales@csusm.edu)
- Electrical Engineering - Physics Department Chair Dr. Gerardo Dominguez (gdominguez@csusm.edu)
We also have a Student Organization Engineering Discord. Please contact jmorales@csusm.edu to join!
- Math Majors
Mathematics students will develop the ability to explore, conjecture, and reason, as well as solve a variety of problems. Opportunities for students with a strong background in mathematics are as diverse as they are plentiful. Medical schools, law schools, graduate schools, and employers in fields such as economics, accounting, management sciences, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, computer science, statistics, and communication seek graduates in mathematics.
Professions
- Actuaries
- Mathematicians
- Statisticians
- Operation Research Analysts
- Computer Programmers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Economists
- Financial Analysts
- Market Research Analysts
- Physicists and Astronomers
- Postsecondary Teachers
Employers
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Federal Government
- Local Government
- Research and Development in the Sciences
- Insurance Carriers
- Manufacturing
- Finance and Insurance
- Market Research
Local Employers
- Local Universities and Community Colleges
- Boeing
- IBM
- Americorps
- Deloitte
Explore more careers in mathematics.
Want to take a deeper look at the outlook of Mathematics careers? MATH Careers Outlook
Gaining Experience and Getting Involved
During your time here at CSUSM you will develop your STEM skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Make the most out of your major and get involved with clubs, organizations, research opportunities, internships and more!
Check out our undergraduate research opportunities and mentorship opportunities:
Contact your undergraduate and faculty advisors:
- Undergraduate – Kim Prince, Kitsya Macias, and Gricelda Ruiz
- Mathematics Faculty Advisors
- Physics Majors
Physics is a study of matter and its interaction at the fundamental level. Applied physics makes a connection between fundamental research in physics and its application to real-world problem-solving. Research in applied physics has led to the use of electricity and magnetism for lighting and propulsion, given birth to the semiconductor industry that has provided us with the conveniences of modern electronics, and played an important part in the development of biomedical technology.
Professions
- Astronomers
- Geophysicists
- University Lecturer
- Secondary Teachers
- Meteorologists
- Research Scientists (PhD)
- Sound Engineers
- Actuaries
- Data Analysts
Employers
- Universities
- Aerospace and Defense
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Federal Government
- Businesses/Corporations
Local Employers
- Local Universities and Community Colleges
- Boeing
- Illumina
- General Atomics
- Qualcomm
- Viasat
Want to take a deeper look at the outlook of Physics careers? PHYS Careers Outlook
Gaining Experience and Getting Involved
During your time here at CSUSM you will develop your STEM skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Make the most out of your major and get involved with clubs, organizations, research opportunities, internships and more!
Check out our undergraduate research opportunities and mentorship opportunities:
- QIST in the CSU | Physics | CSUSM
- Faculty Research and Lab Shadowing
- Summer Jobs & Research Experiences in Physics
- Faculty and Staff | Physics | CSUSM
Join a student org:
- Society of Physics Students
- Women in Physics
- Women in STEM
Contact your undergraduate and faculty advisors:
- Undergraduate – Kim Prince, Kitsya Macias, and Gricelda Ruiz
- Physics Department Chair: Dr. Gerardo Dominguez (gdominguez@csusm.edu)
