• Question: what experience do you need to become a scientist as being a scientist is my dream job and also my favourite subject at school.

    Asked by Cool scientist to Elizabeth, James, Martin, Martin, Rob on 11 Mar 2015. This question was also asked by Ozy12345 Toats Da Best.
    • Photo: Robert Woolfson

      Robert Woolfson answered on 11 Mar 2015:

      If you want to be a scientist the main thing is to keep being so enthusiastic. As you continue to study science you get more experience, but as long as you really want to do it then you can get the experience.

      In terms of experience, keep studying it at school. Science GCSE’s and A-levels are the main route into doing a science degree at university. If you have any universities or big science companies near you, it’s worth emailing or calling them and seeing if they will take you on as a summer student. I did a placement at the University College London chemistry labs when I was 15 and loved it.

      Have a look, when you’re the right age, at applying for a Nuffield Placement. We have a few of these students come to Manchester Uni every year and it’s a great way to get research experience.

      http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-research-placements

      Anyway, good luck, keep the enthusiasm up and I hope this answer helped.

    • Photo: James Coombs OBrien

      James Coombs OBrien answered on 11 Mar 2015:

      Great to hear! It’s by far my dream job as well.

      At your age experience isn’t something you need to worry about, just keep trying hard at school and take lots of science subjects at GCSE.

      When you get a bit older, say during A-Levels and University, then you can start thinking about getting experience (working for a science company or doing research) but first you’ll have to choose which science you’ll want to study (Chemistry, Physics or Biology). But that decision is a long way off so don’t worry about that yet!

      You sound like you love science so don’t worry about it. Many jobs in science need people who are passionate about science and you already have that so you’ll be fine!

      If you really want to show people you’re interested you should go to some science festivals. They are great fun and show that you have a love for science outside of school. Plus you get to talk to us scientist face to face.

      Good luck and I hope I answered your question!

    • Photo: Martin Wieczysty

      Martin Wieczysty answered on 11 Mar 2015:

      Hi!

      Glad to hear you are enthusiastic about science. Focusing on science at school and High School will help you find out what sort of scientist you want to be. There are many different types of scientist you can become, each one will use one, some, or all of the main categories: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Even though I am a chemist, is still need to know maths, and have used a little physics and biology. Don’t worry if you get to the end of school and worry what science subject you want to choose – most science courses at College and University will have a mixture in the first year.
      After school it is really up to you where you want to go. You could maybe start immediately as a technician, if that is what you want to do.
      If you want a job as a research scientist, generally you will have to go to University to get a degree. This degree is a certificate showing all the training you have in the field of science. After your degree you can study for a PhD, this is a level of training in research.
      In Germany, science companies train school leavers as an apprenticeship to become a technician. These technicians are generally managed by someone with a degree or PhD.
      Just now do what makes you feel happy, if that is science, keep thinking about the world around you and how you could make things better.

    • Photo: Elizabeth Cooper

      Elizabeth Cooper answered on 11 Mar 2015:

      Science was my favourite subject at school as well!!

      It depends on what type of scientist you want to be. As you are still young you will be learning about science in general however as you get older you will start learning more about chemistry, physics and biology separately. When you do you will find that you prefer one over the others (when I was about 14 I noticed that I loved chemistry but didn’t like biology as much!).

      Studying at school is the best. You will need to complete your science GCSE’s when you are 15/16 and then A levels at 16-18. From there you can go to university. Once you complete university you will have the right qualifications and skills to become a scientist!

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