how do i become a scientist

Question: how do i become a scientist
- Keywords:
  scientist
Asked by 762cars46 on 21 Sep 2016.
- Joanna Bagniewska answered on 21 Sep 2016:
  
  I’d recommend studying maths – that will help you in every discipline of science!
- Rebecca Dewey answered on 21 Sep 2016:
  
  Read lots! Read around the areas of science that interest you. Read about new discoveries that interest you. Then find out what subjects they involve (is it particle physics, microbiology, atmospheric science?) and get in touch with your local university’s department that researchers what you’re interested in. Ask if they need a volunteer research assistant for the summer, and get in some really great work experience that will inspire and motivate you to do well in your subjects at school and will also make your CV look super-shiny when you come to apply for jobs in a few years.
- Katie Mahon answered on 21 Sep 2016:
  
  Just keep asking questions! That’s what science is all about 🙂
  
  Learning as much as you can about the world around you is a great start. Whether that’s watching How It’s Made, nature documentaries, Mythbusters, or NOVA online… or maybe you just love The Big Bang Theory!
  In school, studying science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and maths & geography are very useful.
- Melanie Zimmer answered on 21 Sep 2016:
  
  Hi 762cars46,
  
  I think this question has already been answered here nicely. 🙂
  
  I just would like to add that it really depends in which direction you would like to go, but something to do maths is certainly not a bad starting point. 🙂
  
  It’s great that you take the chance to ask questions here at the Careers Zone and I would encourage you to do so wherever possible. 🙂 Just by asking questions like “What was your motivation to become a scientist?”, “What did you study?”,”How does a (typical) day at work look like?”, “What equipment do you use, if any?”, “Do you travel a lot?”, “What do you like / dislike most about your work?” and so on you get a good initial idea of the work involved.
  
  Melanie
- Katie Sparks answered on 21 Sep 2016:
  
  There are many different skills to being a scientist and so there are many different routes.
  The obvious route is a university degree, but apprenticeships are becoming more common.
  I wouldn’t worry if you are not a scientist straight away, like I said, there are many routes and a diversion into something completely different will give you skills you can use anywhere.
  All jobs usually need:
  – time keeping – can you get to work on time and finish tasks to a deadline?
  – social skills – can you talk to people to understand what is expected of you and can you give you results in a way they understand?
  – creativity/ innovation – can you work with the information you’ve been given to do what you need to do? How are you going to do that?
  
  As a scientist, you’ll also want to support all of that with lots of questioning and lots of maths. Remember though, sometimes good enough is good enough. I always feels I’m terrible at maths, but I’m terrible at maths for a physicist; I can work out a good understanding and from there use things on the internet and in books to help me work the rest of things – thankfully life is not an exam!
- Evan Keane answered on 22 Sep 2016:
  
  I kind of answered this here: /careers-zone/2016/09/21/what-qualifications-do-you-need-to-become-a-scientist/
  
  But basically GCSEs and A Levels and probably a science degree will set you up for most science jobs. But of course in your science job you will always be learning (that’s kind of the point of science!) so it really is a life-long learning type of career. But that is good – it is not a boring repetitive job by any means.
  
  I would also say why not do some internships. For example I work at Jodrell Bank and we have summer interns which are from people doing science degrees but also from school students. Then you can get a sample of what it’s like in a real scientific work place and see if you love it or hate in when you’re there. Loads of scientific employers have such schemes – dip your toe in the water!
  
  Evan
- Ian Hands-Portman answered on 22 Sep 2016:
  
  Aside from the studying, read around – not just the subject you’re interested in but other areas too. Get some work experience – don’t just rely on your school to organise it, writing directly to university departments yourself often works .
  
  You don’t even need to do science as a job to get involved in science research – have a look at some of the projects at the Citizen Science Alliance
- Jennifer Stephens answered on 15 Sep 2017:
  
  study the science subjects you find most interesting, ask for some work experience in a lab or just ask if you can go for a visit. We have open days where visitors can come and have a look around. Find out what is available near you, or ask you teacher to.

Question: how do i become a scientist

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