Finding Your Path: Exploring Careers in Biology with Dr. Steve Lockless

By: Katherine Hollen

Careers in Biology isn’t a typical class—it’s an opportunity to explore a world of possibilities. Here, students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to turn their biology degree into a meaningful and fulfilling career.

Guiding them through this journey is Dr. Steve Lockless, a professor dedicated to helping students navigate one of the most challenging transitions of their lives: figuring out what comes next. Lockless has been a faculty member at Texas A&M University for 16 years, where he ran a successful research lab, taught undergraduate and graduate students, and earned tenure before leaving his position to focus on building a startup. With experience in both academia and industry, he now teaches BIOL 302, a class that goes beyond traditional coursework and helps prepare students for their careers, reminding them that they’re creating their own future.

When students first step into Lockless’s class, many still wonder, “What will I do with my biology degree?” Lockless explains, “Once they hear the unexpected career trajectories of some of the speakers and how people from diverse backgrounds have built meaningful careers, they start to see that there’s no single ‘right’ path to use their degree. That’s empowering.”

BIOL 302 broadens students’ understanding of the diverse career paths available to those with a biology degree. Beyond the traditional roles they’re familiar with, the course explores opportunities in biotechnology, environmental science, public health, and even fields like business and finance. Guest speakers share not only their current work but also the unexpected twists in their career journeys, giving students valuable insight into the possibilities ahead and helping them recognize the limitless potential of their biology education. Even in careers where biology isn’t the primary focus, the skills students develop in classes, such as problem-solving and analytical thinking, prove highly transferable. To reinforce this, guest lectures from professionals across various industries provide firsthand insight into the real-world applications of a biology degree, often in ways students never expected.

Consider a guest speaker from an oil and gas company: she started as a biomedical sciences major with dreams of becoming a veterinarian before realizing it wasn’t the right path. Pivoting, she gained research experience and took a job analyzing oil & gas samples, quickly climbing the ranks. Today, she’s a high-level manager in finance and budgeting—a path she never expected, given where her career began. Stories like hers show students that changing directions isn’t failure—it’s part of the journey. Other guest speakers include a scientist from the CDC, who shares how earning a Ph.D. in public health led to a career traveling the world, monitoring disease outbreaks, and researching global health crises; a biotech entrepreneur, who explains how she transitioned from academia to launching her own successful startup and shedding light on the practical side of building a business; and a career center specialist from Texas A&M, who helps students navigate the job market and take advantage of on-campus resources.

For Lockless, these guest lectures aren’t just about exploring career choices but about expanding students’ understanding of what’s possible. “It’s easy to explain where you are today by looking back at specific decisions,” he says. “But it’s harder to predict how your decisions today will impact your future, so it’s important to stay open to how your path might evolve into something that wasn’t in your initial plan.”

Beyond career exploration, BIOL 302 also equips students with the practical skills needed to land a job. Resume workshops and mock interviews help them craft compelling professional narratives, ensuring they confidently present their strengths to potential employers. Additionally, informational interviews encourage students to connect with industry professionals, providing valuable insights and real-world experience engaging with experts in their field of interest. And one of the most important takeaways is simple: networking is everything. “So much of it is who you know, especially in this job market,” Lockless says. “Using your network, including the tremendous Aggie alumni database, to find a connection with hiring managers can help you in your job search. Never underestimate the importance of building relationships with classmates and alums. You never know where you’ll end up in the future.”

Lockless puts his own advice into practice. He attended the on-campus career fairs to gain firsthand insight into the opportunities that he encourages his students to pursue. After talking with several professionals at the fairs and following up with them, two are now guest speakers in the class. The experience reinforced the very advice he shares with his students: putting yourself out there and making connections can open unexpected doors. Lockless has seen firsthand how this mindset can transform students. Some, like a student rejected from professional school, discovered new paths they hadn’t considered. In her case, she found a business-focused master’s program she didn’t know existed and is now pursuing a specialized program designed for non-business majors. Others, like a senior unsure about his post-graduation plans, completely change their career paths. Initially considering academia, he decided to attend a career fair, struck up conversations with recruiters, and left with a job prospect at a company he had never heard of. He landed the job—and still holds it to this day.

Through BIOL 302, students learn that success isn’t about figuring everything out from the start; it’s about exploring options, making connections, and staying open to new possibilities. Whether they follow a traditional route or forge an unexpected one, they leave the course with some of the tools they need to shape a future that fits them. BIOL 302 highlights that a biology degree doesn’t limit your options—it’s a foundation for countless opportunities.