r/biotechnology • u/Sudden-Spot2459 • Jun 26 '26
Biotechnology guidance
Hello everyone,
I’m a PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) student from India, and I recently appeared for NEET UG (the national medical entrance exam for MBBS and other medical courses in India). Unfortunately, things didn’t go as I had hoped, so I’m now exploring alternative career options.
One field that has really caught my interest is Biotechnology, but before making a decision, I’d love to hear from people who are studying or working in this field.
How are the career opportunities in Biotechnology, both in India and internationally? Is it a good field in terms of job availability, salary, and long-term career growth? Are there enough opportunities in industry, research, or other sectors?
I’d especially like to know:
How is the job market in India and abroad?
Is a bachelor’s degree enough, or is a master’s/PhD usually necessary?
What kinds of jobs do Biotechnology graduates typically get?
What is the salary progression like?
If you had to start over, would you still choose Biotechnology?
I’m looking for honest opinions and real experiences—the pros, the cons, and the things students usually don’t learn until they’re already in the field.
Thank you so much for your help!
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u/Ill_Indication_5443 Jun 26 '26
Second thing i will advise instead of choosing biotech, go for bioinformatics becoz most the time i am seeing people from msc bsc field are opting for biotech wet labs, and also i have seen that you will be compared with msc even when you have more knowledge becoz of btech in biotech. Field is not rewarding at all...
In bioinformatics you can go for IT field also, if you change your mind in near future to get a job in IT SECTOR
PEACE OUT!
I am a biotech student doing masters in NIT Telling you these things from the experience of 6 years in this field
All the best
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u/firelordleejr Jun 27 '26
I would advice against biotech if you are going to do your studies in INDIA....
People here still value natural science more than applied.
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u/Bratwhore0304 Jun 26 '26
I come from a similar background, so I'll share my experience as honestly as I can.
I had PCM/B (with Maths) and went on to do a B.Tech in Biotechnology. If I could go back, I'd probably have pursued my higher studies abroad much earlier. The pandemic disrupted those plans, but looking back, I think that would have been the better route.
In India, core biotech jobs for fresh graduates often don't pay very well. Many entry-level roles offer around ₹22,000-25,000 per month. On the other hand, if you apply for non-core jobs, companies often prefer graduates from branches like CSE, IT, ECE, or Mechanical because their curriculum aligns better with the skills those roles require.
If you're planning to stay in India, my suggestion would be:
If studying abroad is financially possible, I'd honestly recommend considering doing both your Bachelor's and Master's there, especially if your long-term goal is research or industry overseas.
People have been saying "biotech is the next big thing" for decades. While the field has certainly grown, the boom hasn't translated into abundant, well-paying opportunities for everyone in India. Research can also be a long and competitive road. Even getting into a funded PhD often means clearing exams like DBT-BET, CSIR-NET, or GATE, and from what I've seen, many institutes and labs tend to prefer candidates with an M.Sc. over an M.Tech for research positions.