Once upon a time, people blamed “bad air” for cholera outbreaks. It took a real step back from conventional wisdom when physician John Snow (no, not Ned Stark’s son) mapped cholera cases in London and pinpointed a contaminated water pump as the source of the epidemic.
The lesson? Sometimes you have to challenge your long-held assumptions to find the real answer. When biology major Lucy H. sat through lectures with 400 of her closest peers in university, she realized her own “hypotheses” about postsecondary education could use examining. By stripping her beliefs that “university opens more doors,” “college labs are less in-depth,” and “employers want degrees” down to the fundamentals, Lucy rebuilt her educational path. What she discovered were four surprising myths about studying biotechnology at a college vs. a university.
Myth 1: University gives more in-depth scientific knowledge.
Reality: University and college programs are designed for different outcomes. University often leans toward a broad theoretical depth and pathways to advanced research or further educational degrees. Mohawk College’s Biotechnology – Advanced program, on the other hand, dives deep into core sciences with a hands-on, practical focus, giving students the tools they'll need to get started in their career.
Lucy learned this firsthand.
“In university, my labs were mostly limited to chemistry. Here, I’ve done so many different labs. It’s not just learning theory. You actually get to practice it.”
She came in expecting a lighter workload in a college environment. What she discovered surprised her: a collaborative, hands-on lab setting that was just as demanding but had a different focus than her past university program.
Why it matters: Being lab-ready gives you the skills you need to be employable. When you graduate from Mohawk's Biotechnology – Advanced program, you're not just ready to talk about science, you’re ready to do it.
Myth 2: A biotechnology degree opens more doors.
Reality: Experience opens doors. Mohawk’s program offers a mandatory co-op component, meaning you get to work in real labs, apply your skills, and build a network before graduating.
“When I saw the co-op option at Mohawk, that sealed it for me,” Lucy explains. “It’s one thing to learn something in class. But I wanted to see how it all works in the real world.”
She realized the value of building connections early. A degree doesn't guarantee a job.
But, if down the road you find you do want a degree, Mohawk has pathways to university programs where your diploma credits can be applied toward further education.
Why it matters: Co-op builds confidence, competence and a network. Real-world experience creates opportunities.
Myth 3: Employers only value bachelor’s degrees.
Reality: Employers value people who can do the work. Mohawk’s four co-op semesters give students up to 16 months of real-world lab experience, often earning an average of $19.30/hour during placements. That’s not just learning, it’s proving yourself in the field.
“I feel more prepared going into the workforce now,” Lucy says. “The labs here gave me real skills I can talk about in interviews. It’s not just theory anymore.”
And the stats back it up: six months after graduation, college and university grads have comparable employment rates in biotech fields.
Why it matters: Employers hire skills, not a diploma or degree. A hands-on diploma backed by co-op can be equally as powerful as a degree for many roles.
Myth 4: I’ll be backtracking if I go back to college.
Reality: Every year, thousands of university grads make the pivot to college, realizing what they need is real-world experience, not just credentials.
In Ontario, over 25% of college students already have a degree. They’re not backtracking, they’re recalibrating.
“My friend has a bachelor’s and chose to come to Mohawk after,” Lucy shares. “She’s doing great. Honestly, I look up to her for making that move.”
Why it matters: College isn’t a step back. It’s a step toward clarity, direction, and purpose. College is great if you want to work in science, not just study it.
Your next breakthroughs
When the physician John Snow questioned the miasma theory, he didn’t just uncover the source of cholera, he also redefined how people understood public health.
Lucy did something similar. She took a hard look at her own beliefs about college, about science, about what it really takes to launch a career and made a bold move. She didn’t abandon her passion for biology. She just found a better way to live it.
If you’re starting to wonder if learning science in a more hands-on way would work better for you, it might be time to take a step back and follow Lucy’s example.
Ultimately, your 'best' path depends on your individual learning style, career goals and long-term ambitions. Both university degrees and college diplomas offer excellent routes into the biotechnology sector, and universities can provide a strong foundation for those pursuing academic research or highly specialized theoretical roles. However, if your goal is to quickly gain practical, job-ready skills and valuable industry experience, a college diploma with a robust co-op component can be a highly efficient and rewarding choice.
Old assumptions hold people back. Evidence moves them forward. Take a closer look at Mohawk’s Biotechnology – Advanced program and decide for yourself.
Published June 11, 2025
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