• Question: Would trying to be a science teacher a good start in the science careers?

    Asked by 959cara48 to Devon, Heather, Krishma, Laura, Richard, Thomas, Tim.S on 22 Jan 2018.
    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 22 Jan 2018:


      Probably not in my case. Most people study maths, statistics, computing, physics, biology or medicine to end up working in the epidemiology of infectious diseases. I wouldn’t go into teaching because you want to do a different job. Consider carefully your interests, skills and future goals. People can change directions later, but I wouldn’t plan ahead an indirect route.

    • Photo: Richard Unwin

      Richard Unwin answered on 22 Jan 2018:


      I think Science teaching is a great career. however if you want to become a lab scientists then it might be best to focus on this first. I know a lot of lab scientists who’ve gone on to be great teachers in schools colleges and Universities, but I don’t know of too many who’ve done it the other way round…

    • Photo: Thomas Booth

      Thomas Booth answered on 22 Jan 2018:


      It definitely wouldn’t hurt!

      A good, broad knowledge of the science and the ability to teach other and communicate well are important skills for a scientist.

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 22 Jan 2018:


      I’d say it’s a good addition if you are talking university-level lecturing. However, in most cases I am aware of, you tend to do a lot of research and very little teaching at the beginning of the science career, and then gradually (as you become more and more of an expert in your field) move to more teaching and less research.

    • Photo: Tim Stephens

      Tim Stephens answered on 23 Jan 2018:


      To become a Science teacher you need to learn about science and about teaching, so it needs different or extra training than a regular science qualification. Whether it’s a good start or not depends on what you think you want to do longer-term.

      I know people who used to be science teachers and are now doing something else, and I know people who’ve become science teachers after working in industry so there’s no reason that you can’t change your mind later.

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