• Question: What career steps would you advise to have a job like yours?

    Asked by anon-227009 to Thibaut "Tibo", Georgia, Emily, Aimee on 10 Nov 2019.
    • Photo: Georgia Orton

      Georgia Orton answered on 10 Nov 2019: last edited 10 Nov 2019 11:31 am

      My advice to someone interested in a career in research would be to choose a subject that you find really interesting.
      I would also advise you to be open to changing your goals to suit your interests as they change over the years. Ten years ago I didn’t imagine that I would be doing this job, but I kept following what I was most interested in and I ended up here, doing a job I love.

      Most scientific researchers will have a master’s degree in a science subject, but there are other routes into science. You careers advisor at school would probably be able to give you useful information on the routes available to you. If you decide that you want to do A-levels or go to university then the school/university websites can be really useful to know what to expect.

    • Photo: Aimee Egglestone

      Aimee Egglestone answered on 11 Nov 2019:

      Hey! Outwith study, my job relies heavily on an ability to adapt, so I’d advise getting comfortable with trusting your own judgement and thinking on your feet.

      You can practice this outwith science, just by putting yourself in situations you aren’t fully in control of – hobbies which rely on problem solving (like videogames or puzzles) or improvisation (like drama or Dungeons and Dragons) help me out a lot with the thinking on my feet aspect and Volunteering as a leader with things like Brownies has helped me become more confident in my own decisions making.

    • Photo: Thibaut Deviese

      Thibaut Deviese answered on 11 Nov 2019:

      I would advise that you do a degree in chemistry, biology or physics first. Then, you can decide to specialise and use your expertise on old stuff that archaeologists have been excavating and bringing to your lab!

Comments

  • Photo: William

    William commented on :

    When I left school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to become. I picked chemistry as an A-level simply because I enjoyed science at high school. Nearly every job in science will need you to have been to university and have a degree in a science (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) depending on what type of job role you are looking at. My best advice is to do what you enjoy and ask lots of questions if you are unsure. There is a saying that there is now silly questions, only silly answers.

    University is an amazing time where you meet some of your friends for life (and study a degree). All universities will hold open days where you can visit the university, meet the staff and students and look around the departments. My advice is visit as many as you can.