• Question: how did you become a scientist

    Asked by anon-354696 on 8 Mar 2023. This question was also asked by anon-350275.
    • Photo: Maria Price

      Maria Price answered on 8 Mar 2023:

      I went to school and did my GCSE’s, then moved into A-Levels (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) and then went to university to do Biochemistry. I am now doing my PhD to become a science researcher.

    • Photo: Kirstie Andrews

      Kirstie Andrews answered on 8 Mar 2023:

      I am a bioengineering researcher. I did Physics, Maths, Chemistry and French for A-Level. I originally applied to do medicine as the schools career advisor told me I had to do a medical degree to do medical research- I just missed out on a place on the degree (by 1% on my chemistry marks!). I’d had an offer for another course at the same university so I looked into it and found out that it was actually all about developing skills to do research into the human body- much more what I wanted to do, so I did a Bioengineering degree to start with. I then did a Masters degree to gain more knowledge and skills, then a PhD to become an expert in a particular area. After my PhD I was employed at a university on a research contract, and then after getting experience became a lecturer. I now lecture in the areas of my research, supervise students on research projects and do my own research as well.

    • Photo: John Clark-Corrigall

      John Clark-Corrigall answered on 8 Mar 2023:

      I really liked doing triple sciences at school, but better at Biology. Then in sixth form I chose to do Biology, chemistry, maths and PE with uni applications for Biomedical sciences and medical sciences. I studied my degree at Sunderland University and had a fantastic time learning about genetics of disease and molecular biology. Chatting to the lecturers, technicians and PhD students in labs and at the biomed social events made me consider doing research as a job and after doing my project I was hooked! I liked the problem solving aspects as well as just learning new things to contribute to human understanding. I did a post graduate masters qualification for a year and now here I am doing a PhD project!

    • Photo: Emma Agnew

      Emma Agnew answered on 8 Mar 2023:

      I really enjoyed biology in school so decided I wanted to have a career in science- particularly related to human health. I thought about becoming a doctor but didn’t like feet so though I couldn’t deal with having to treat certain illnesses.

      I went to University to study Medical Sciences so this was a perfect combination of science as well as how this was used in medicine to learn about different diseases.

      I then stayed on at Uni to do my Masters course and PhD (to become a Doctor of science) in cardiovascular biology. During these last 2 degrees, I spent 4 years working in a science laboratory carrying out lots of different experiments so knew I wanted to continue my career in science.

    • Photo: Benjamin Foster

      Benjamin Foster answered on 9 Mar 2023:

      Had an interest in maths and the natural world as a child so pursued similar GCSEs and A levels for the sciences and maths. Went onto study more in-depth at university to study Biochemistry and then onto scientific research through a PhD and postdocs.

    • Photo: Orode Aniejurengho

      Orode Aniejurengho answered on 9 Mar 2023:

      I completed 9 subjects at secondary school. These included maths, biology, chemistry, physics, French, agricultural science and others. Then I completed 3 Alevels 9Biology, Chemistry and Maths; I also did Physics at AS level). After this, I studied Biomedical Science at university before completing a Masters and PhD (which is when you study a specific research topic for about 3 years, then write a big book about it). After this, you can usually work in universities as a scientist or in other companies.

    • Photo: Jacob Wildfire

      Jacob Wildfire answered on 13 Mar 2023:

      I sort of fell into it. My dad worked for the NHS, helping to diagnose HIV, and he used to bring me to the hospital. He told me about how people get sick, what germs do, and how wae cure people. I really enjoyed biology, so I kept doing it at school/university. Then, when my degree ended, I didn’t really feel like I was done learning. So, I went on to start my PhD in biomedicine, and that led me here, to this question!

    • Photo: Katie Dexter

      Katie Dexter answered on 13 Mar 2023:

      One of my favourite quotes: “Remember kids, the only difference between messing around and science is writing it down.”

      Sooo.. I think I’ve been a scientist since I was a child!

      But my first paid scientist job was at University. I worked over the summers in various different science labs (so when I was around 20 – I am now 32).

    • Photo: Laura Lockhart

      Laura Lockhart answered on 13 Mar 2023:

      I studied Biology at university then trained as a Science Teacher after I graduated. It became clear to me early on that it wasn’t the right career path for me so whilst I was looking for another job I came across a job in a Forensic Science lab which I then applied for. I didn’t get the job but it made me realize that using science to do something really interesting such as solve crimes got me really excited about working as a scientist. So I went back to uni and did a Masters Degree in Forensic Science and that set me on my career path as scientist- I worked in a Forensic lab for 4 years after graduating and then moved into manufacturing science and biotechnology from that; first in the field of forensic test kit manufacturing for 9 years and then, for the last 5 years, flu vaccine manufacturing.

Comments