• Question: What does it take to become a scientist and would you recommend it a full time job for the future?

    Asked by Olivia to John, Laura, Luke, Rob, Ruth on 13 Jun 2016. This question was also asked by 885catf39.
    • Photo: Laura Finney

      Laura Finney answered on 13 Jun 2016:

      Being a scientist takes a lot of hard work and dedication. I think you need to really love the subject and want to spend the rest of your life doing it. However, if you can tick those boxes then it is a great career.

      It is something new every day and you are always learning. It’ also very satisfying when the science begins to work and you see the product of all the work you have put in.

      I love my job because my research is also aimed at helping the world, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and basically just making it better for the environment. I think that is very rewarding.

    • Photo: John Fossey

      John Fossey answered on 13 Jun 2016:

      If you love it go for it – don’t do it to become rich – but if you enjoy peeking into the unknown and being challenged by new and exciting problems – that you can devote yourself to – then its for you

    • Photo: Ruth Patchett

      Ruth Patchett answered on 13 Jun 2016:

      We always say you have to love it…but not too much. Science requires a lot of studying and hard work but is fun too. I really like that chemistry involves doing a lot of sitting down and studying but also doing practical work in a lab too so when you are not just sat in an office all day. Although it’s hard work I also think you need to be able to give yourself a break sometimes and do some totally different things to switch off too. I’d also agree with John that you don’t really do it to become rich (although you can study science at university then get a job not in science-like banking- if you want).

    • Photo: Luke Williams

      Luke Williams answered on 14 Jun 2016:

      There are a variety of jobs that one can do as a scientist. Even carrying out research can be split into at least two major categories – working in academic research at a university, or in a company. There are also many different companies, big ones, small ones, and their research styles are likely to be very different.

      In order to become a scientist in any regard the lowest qualifications you will need will be scientific A levels – biology, chemistry, physics, or at least some of them. There are still a few routes to science from the A Level, NHS apprenticeships are one of these routes.

      More typically you will need a degree and perhaps even a PhD to carry your own research out. Whichever route you take it will be hard work, but there are certainly advantages to carrying out research. More often in academic research, but can be done anywhere is the possibility of producing something/inventing something/discovering something that no one else has ever produced/invented/found before.

      Depending on where you work, research can be very flexible – I have not worked a 9-5 day in quite some time. You also might have the opportunity to direct the route of your own research, being able to say where you will seek new answers next.

      Whilst as mentioned above, you shouldn’t go into science looking for riches, you are more likely to earn more in industry than academic research. Scientists are increasingly being promoted to the manager position, and some are even taking on senior positions within large companies, definitely more than in the past – and these jobs obviously attract more money. In a very small number of cases you might also invent something critical to an industry, and might be able to earn some cash taking that invention to market. This is a particularly high risk area, but some people do make a lot of money doing this sort of thing.

      I would recommend becoming a scientist, but I won’t specify any particular job within that – each person is different. I would like to remain in academic research because I prefer the research into the unknown element, which is harder to come by in industry. I would also like to be involved in training the next generation of scientists.

      Edit: I have just double checked and the NHS apprenticeship scheme extends below A levels to anyone over the age of 16.

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