• Question: Can you give advice on how to become a scientist.

    Asked by anon-281031 on 11 Feb 2021. This question was also asked by anon-284183.
    • Photo: Kate Dobson

      Kate Dobson answered on 11 Feb 2021:

      Keep asking questions! Study the science subjects you find interesting, and try to go to university to continue learning more about those subjects. A job like mine (as a research scientist at a university) needs you to get a PhD after your undergraduate degree.

    • Photo: Amelia Gilio

      Amelia Gilio answered on 12 Feb 2021:

      Stay inquisitive and read up on science-y things that interest you! If you can, work experience placements are great for giving you an idea of what working in a particular area of science will be like and whether it interests you. The most common career path to becoming a scientist is by doing science A-levels and then a science degree at uni and perhaps a PhD is you want to become a research scientist, although there are also many science jobs that don’t need a PhD! If you don’t think that is for you there are also plenty of science apprenticeships in large companies (eg. GSK, Fera, water companies) which you could do instead of A-Levels or instead of a degree and would give hands on experience straight away.

    • Photo: Philip Ratcliffe

      Philip Ratcliffe answered on 15 Feb 2021:

      The best advice for me is to do what you really like – you have to be prepared to study and work really hard – that’s not at all easy if you don’t really like what you’re doing. Try to keep your options open though, as you’ll find your interests change a little as you grow up and come into contact with new things. You may end up doing something you’d never really thought about earlier or never even knew existed.

    • Photo: Amal Lavender

      Amal Lavender answered on 22 Feb 2021:

      agree to definitely follow your passion. focus on what you like and also its good to be clear on what you don’t like. Then there are so many pathways in – if you prefer less studying then apprenticeships are a great start, if not then university and then a role, or continuing to study to do a PhD and then onto post docs. At school try out things that also help you build useful skills like leadership – being a captain or leading a society, teamwork, problem solving etc etc. Enjoy it!! 🙂

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