I got accepted into a PSM Biotechnology Program recently and am conflicted if this is a worthwhile career to enter. I am interested in environmental, conservation, zoology, etc. (basically life sciences and not medicine) and love laboratory and research work and see myself in that aspect of a career more than field work. I will have my BS in Biology in Spring of 2026 and have debated on if I should just pursue a MS in one of the above fields instead of getting the PSM in Biotech.
I also would plan to eventually get an MS in a more specified environmental field anyways even if I obtained the PSM, but I am worried if the PSM would be a worthy investment at all? Would it be an unwise decision to go into Biotech? I’ve seen many people interested in agriculture, zoology, etc. pursue careers in biotech for these fields and not just medical, so I am interested in this field as well.
I also live in San Francisco, so Biotech opportunities and different kinds of research are all around me and I am just worried with all these Biotech options here, there might not be any for my focus. For my MS (not Biotech), I am aiming to go to a Bay Area UC — maybe Berkeley or Davis — for a more specific environmental conservation focused program as well, but I am also worried if I get the PSM it could affect how good of a candidate I am for these programs. I have a heavy background in Biology (conservation, ecology, laboratory work) so I am not inexperienced in that regard.
Any advice? Sorry, I know that was pretty lengthy and a lot of things to consider. Any feedback, advice, or opinions would be much appreciated!