Students taking non-professional subjects usually do not expect to earn their living as practitioners in those fields but students trained in the professional disciplines will usually practice what they have learnt. From the employers viewpoint, there are some qualities developed during the study of biology which make it especially valuable as a preparation for general careers. Because of the complexity of living things, studying them usually involves dealing with a wide range of variables and complex sources of data. Interpretation requires judgement and at times, the ability to compromise. As such, this is a good preparation for real life problems outside science, e.g., in managing people.
Most biologists become familiar with statistics and computers used in data processing.
This skill is directly valuable to many other jobs. Taking personal responsibilities and learning to work together with others in a group, are qualities highly valued by employers. Speaking the language of science is a valuable asset in this era of high technology and the emphasis on knowledge-based economy. As the most artistic subject of the Sciences, many biology students also develop the skills to illustrate with and interpret diagrams and drawings. Such attributes are useful in the working world where effective communication is crucial.