• Question: how did you become scientist? What stages did you do in school or had to take? Also what tips could you give those who want to become a scientist, for the future?

    Asked by abigail123 to Lyn, Katy, Paul, PB, Ruth on 21 Jun 2013. This question was also asked by rubas, premanayaki, jessicamay, originaljay, evemackley.
    • Photo: Katy Brown

      Katy Brown answered on 21 Jun 2013:

      First, at school I did A-levels in Biology and Chemistry, I should have done Maths too but I didn’t. Then I did a degree in Biology at university. Next, I did a Masters degree in Genetics – an advanced degree on a specialist subject which takes one year. Now I’m studying for a PhD – technically I’m still a student but doing a PhD is a lot more like having a job – we get a regular wage (not a very big one though!) and work on our own research every day, we don’t usually have to go to classes.

      If you want to be a scientist, while you’re still at school its a good idea to find out as much as you can about science – keep up to date with science news and see what sort of things interest you. Its a good idea to take part in events like this one to find out what science is really all about – you’ve made a good start here! Universities also often run events for the public about the research they do – if you look at the website for a local university they will usually have an “events page” telling you about this sort of thing.

    • Photo: Peter Balfe

      Peter Balfe answered on 21 Jun 2013:

      I was good at science at school, pursued it through university and am still doing it. I’m boring and did all the classic science subjects, but some of my colleagues didn’t and they’re fine. One gave up music only after A level to do a degree in Biochemistry, she’s done OK.

      Do what you enjoy. If you get the chance to get involved in science projects take it.

    • Photo: Ee Lyn Lim

      Ee Lyn Lim answered on 21 Jun 2013:

      Where I went to school, it was actually quite unusual NOT to do science. As long as you had decent grades, teachers and parents assumed you were going to do science, and can get quite upset if you don’t! That means lots of people, including me, didn’t really think about taking science classes until we left school – we just kind of…did them.

      So I had biology, physics, chemistry, maths and additional maths (one is harder than the other) at GCSE, and biology, chemistry and maths at A-Levels. These were the ones that were important when I applied to study Biochemistry at university. But at the same time I also have a GCSE in accounting, and A-Levels in English Literature, which very few other ‘science students’ at my school did – and I randomly took a course on the History and Philosophy of Science while I was at uni. I liked doing science, but I wanted to do other stuff too!

      I think all of those classes helped me be a better scientist, in one way or another. Doing science means you want to be able to think critically, and the more you know (about a variety of subjects, not just science) the better you can analyse a question. My tip would be to take every opportunity to learn, no matter what it is or where it is, and when you find a field that excites you, go for it!

    • Photo: Paul Waines

      Paul Waines answered on 25 Jun 2013:

      Hi abigail123- I became a scientist by choosing science A- levels, and then doing a Biological Sciences degree. After this I then did a higher degree called a ‘doctor of philosophy’ or ‘PhD’ (but not straight after finishing my first degree)- this meant that I specialized in the area that I wanted to work in (microbiology of water).

      The main difference between the first degree and the higher degree (PhD) is that the first is less specialized and is taught to you. The PhD is kind of like a job, and you are expected to find things out for yourself.

      what tips would I give? Be sure of the area you would like to work in, work hard, and never assume that you know everything because you never stop learning!

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