How to Get Into Biotech: Career Insights from a Biotech Veteran
Breaking into biotech can feel like decoding a secret language, especially if you don’t come from a traditional science background. The good news? There are graduate programs that can give you the foundation and confidence to thrive — no matter your work or educational history.
Alison Occhiuti is a biotech professional with more than 15 years of experience in drug development and trial management. She shared her insights on how to get into biotech and why programs like the University of Florida’s master’s degree in medical physiology and pharmacology can be a smart pathway for career changers and those already working in the field.
How to Get Into Biotech Without a Science Degree
Alison didn’t follow a scientist’s typical path. She began college as a pre-med student, but when Northwestern wouldn’t accept her organic chemistry credits from Harvard, she shifted to a Spanish major while continuing her pre-med courses. Though she ultimately decided medicine wasn’t for her, she stayed connected to the health field—a choice that eventually led her into biotech.
She found her entry point in contract research organizations (CROs), companies that biotech and pharma hire to outsource trials. “Unlike clinical development or bench science, I could get into operations without an official science degree,” Alison explained.
Over the last 15 years, she’s worked at contract research organizations and on the pharmaceutical side, running clinical trials, managing vendors and later overseeing big-picture strategy.
Alison’s nontraditional path shows there’s more than one way to get into biotech, especially with the right graduate training to fill knowledge gaps. For those looking to follow a similar path, Alison suggested a few ways to get started:
- Start where you can
Look for entry points at contract research organizations (CROs), which often hire for operations, project management and vendor coordination roles. - Build your knowledge
Enroll in a biotech or clinical research graduate program to strengthen your technical foundation. - Expand your network
Connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn and attend biotech events or webinars to make meaningful connections. - Leverage your background
Highlight transferable skills, such as communication, organization or analysis, that support the scientific work behind the scenes.
Why Understanding the Human Body Matters in Biotech Careers
Operations roles in biotech aren’t just administrative; they require a deep understanding of how the body works. “Understanding body systems is a huge basis,” Alison said. “What is it supposed to do or look like? When you move into different areas, if you know what it should be doing, you’ll understand why when it’s not working, why it’s a problem.”
Whether you’re in autoimmune, oncology or rare disease, knowing the science behind drug interactions helps you make real-world decisions that impact patient safety and trial success.
Challenges in Biotech (and How to Overcome Them)
The biotech industry is exciting … but volatile. Funding cycles fluctuate, companies merge and regulatory landscapes shift with every administration. “You need to be agile and flexible,” Alison noted. “Even if you don’t want to, you might have to move between companies or projects. Having an educational foundation makes that jump easier.”
These realities are what make programs like UF’s online master’s degree in medical physiology and pharmacology so valuable. They give students the core knowledge to understand how drugs interact with the body and the skills to adapt quickly in a fast-paced industry.
How UF’s Medical Physiology and Pharmacology Program Prepares You for Biotech
According to Alison, our program’s foundational courses are directly relevant to biotech and pharma work, including:
- Fundamentals of Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Therapeutics I–IV (covering all body systems)
- Advanced Medical Pharmacology
- Cell Signaling
“Even if you didn’t start with a science degree, this program can really help you get your foot in the door in drug development,” Alison said.
She also pointed out that courses like Medical Endocrinology and Reproduction are excellent elective choices. “When we are developing a drug, one of the biggest things we think about is how it impacts reproduction and how it could impact a fetus. Reproductive studies on mice are really important, especially when treating young people not yet of reproductive years.”
For students considering biotech, the program teaches principles that are immediately applicable to operations, trial management and early-phase clinical research.
Skills That Make You Stand Out in Biotech
Alison highlighted the value of the medical physiology and pharmacology program’s student learning outcomes, especially for those entering biotech operations or early-phase clinical roles.
She pointed to key areas that helped her bridge science and strategy:
- Understanding pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and neuropharmacology
- Knowledge of drug nomenclature and discovery stages
- Familiarity with human systems and pharmacology for cancer, antimicrobials and other therapeutic areas
“Every single thing there is directly applicable to work in the biotech pharmaceutical field. The first four bullets are especially fantastic foundations,” she said.
Graduates can enter entry-level roles like clinical research associates or drug safety analysts, even without prior industry experience. “If I saw this on a CV, I would definitely bring them in for an interview,” Alison noted.
From Classroom to Career: Bridging the Gap in Biotech
Alison stressed that hands-on exposure is key: “Even entry-level jobs that seem administrative or boring, all of that exposure is unbelievably important. A lot of what you learn is on the job. The program helps you feel secure in your foundation, but you still need apply and get experience.”
In other words, internships, mentorships and real-world experience can make all the difference when it comes to breaking into biotech. Alison encourages students to apply for roles that catch their eye — even if they’re just a stepping stone. Each opportunity helps you build momentum, figure out which areas of biotech interest you most and open some unexpected doors.
Practical Advice for Breaking Into Biotech
Alison’s advice is straightforward:
- Really pay attention in school — even in foundational courses.
- Embrace early roles, even if they seem small; they provide critical learning opportunities.
- Be ready to adapt and move across projects, therapy areas or companies.
“Despite having the education, there is so much on-the-job learning to do,” she added. “There is a role for you here. Just try. Apply. Your first job might not be perfect, but it’s a step toward your career in biotech.”
Why UF Is a Strong Choice for Biotech Careers
UF’s online master’s degree in medical physiology and pharmacology prepares students for the realities of biotech, offering core scientific knowledge, cross-functional understanding and practical applicability. Whether you’re aiming to work in drug development, trial management or operations, the program provides a strong foundation and a competitive edge, even for students without a traditional science background.
Ready to see if this program is right for you? Learn more about UF’s online master’s degree in medical physiology and pharmacology to see how it can help you take your first step into biotech.
