Career Options after Neuroscience

What is Neuroscience?

Neuroscience is a Science which emphasizes multidisciplinary understanding of how the nervous system works. It focuses on unraveling some of the mysteries of the brain and its mechanisms of action, including dysfunctions. Neuroscience includes aspects of:

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Molecular biology
• Pharmacology
• Physiology
• Psychology
• Zoology

What makes Neuroscience at UTSC unique?

UTSC has tremendous research strength in neuroscience. The Centre for the Neurobiology of Stress at Scarborough is comprised of behavioural neuroscientists from the Department of Psychology and molecular and systems neuroscientists from the Department of Biological Sciences, reflecting a truly integrative approach to Neuroscience.

Skills of Neuroscience Grads

• Analyze ideas and information
• Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing
• Design experiments and conduct studies
• Gather, analyze and interpret data
• Identify and understand needs
• Inform and explain ideas
• Make critical decisions under stressful situations
• Observe and compare people, data and things
• Perceive and understand individuals
• Computational modelling
• Neuroimaging

Entry-Level Jobs for Bachelor Grads

Common employment destinations include:

• Research Assistant in Hospitals or Universities
• Rehabilitation Counsellor in Non-Profits
• Community Programs Organizer in Non-Profits
• Disability Case Manager in Public Insurance
• Volunteer Coordinator in Disease-Focused Education
• Sales in Pharmaceuticals or Medical Devices
• Teaching Assistant / Tutor in Private Schools
• Administrator in Hospitals and NGOs

The Career Directory

Neuroscience Grads from UTSC have gone on to:

• Centre for Addictions and Mental Health
• Estee Lauder
• Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
• St. Michael's Hospital
• Toronto District School Board

UTSC Neuroscience graduates are working in Healthcare, Education and Business.

Graduate & Professional Studies

Popular further education opportunities include:

• Psychology – Master of Science (Research)
• Medicine – Doctor (MD)
• Law School – JD (Juris Doctor)
• Social Work – Bachelor or Master
• Occupational Therapy – Master
• Physical Therapy – Master
• Speech & Language Pathology – Master
• Education – Bachelor or Master
• Radiation Technology – Diploma or Bachelor
• ABA Behaviour Therapy – Graduate Certificate

Examples of Fields that ‘Fit’ the Skills of Neuroscience Grads

• Social Services
• Government (Federal, Provincial, Regional, Municipal)
• Healthcare
• Research
• Insurance
• Education
• Consulting Services
• Non-Profit Causes (Disorder/Disease-specific)

Your 4-Year Career Exploration Action Plan

1. Do Your Research

The databases below provide you with details about job prospects, nature of work, educational requirements, working conditions, pay and related career paths:

• ​Career Cruising: Log into cln.utoronto.ca, click on Resources, and click on Career Cruising to be logged in automatically
• O*Net: online.onetcenter.org (U.S. site)

Attend our workshop Discover Your Skills and Career Options, meet with a Career Counsellor, and use our resources to get to know your skills, values, personality and interests.

Use the advice on our tip sheets for gathering information:

• Information Interviews
• Working On-Campus
• Internships
• Volunteering

2. Explore Career Options & Get Experience

Gain exposure to your options in the world of work and make connections while you’re a student via campus events and programs listed on cln.utoronto.ca and ccr.utoronto.ca:

• Extern Job Shadowing
• In the Field
• Explore It! (course-based)
• Partners in Leadership (4th year students)
• iLead, uLead, weLead (Department of Student Life)
• Employer Information Sessions
• Career & Volunteer Fairs
• Departmental Student Association Events

Apply for Work Study jobs in CLN in Fall and Spring! You might also find work via the SCSU.

Find networking opportunities, internship programs and entry-level jobs via websites like TalentEgg and Charity Village.

As an upper year student (14+ credits), attend UTSC’s Get Hired conference and participate in Jobs for Grads.

As a graduate, explore internships and other trainee programs like Career Edge.

3. Build Your Network

Explore professional associations and get involved! Volunteer for their events and get to know people in your industry of interest. These are your future mentors, supervisors and colleagues!

• Psychology and Neuroscience Department Association
• Canadian Association for Neuroscience
• Society for Neuroscience
• Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation
• Canadian Psychological Association
• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Canadian Psychiatric Association
• College of Psychologists Ontario
• Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association

Other websites for finding networking opportunities and experience include:

• Charity Village Events Listings (Disease-Related Non-Profits)
• Careers in Mental Health and relevant associations

Please note: This information is a starting point for your further research into career options in this field of study. For more information on this program and course requirements, please visit the Department of Psychology website.