• Question: What tips could you give to a person who wants to become a scientist when they are older (me :D).

    Asked by anon-218619 to Shannah, Richard, Matthew (known as Kaan by, johnpaterson, Emma, Anna on 13 Jun 2019.
    • Photo: Matthew Alkan

      Matthew Alkan answered on 13 Jun 2019:

      Work hard, do what you enjoy and be yourself

    • Photo: John Paterson

      John Paterson answered on 13 Jun 2019:

      At the start, I would say try to find out about as many different areas of science as you can. Then if something really catches your interest, try to focus on it and find out more about it because I do think it helps if there’s a particular area you’re really interested in. But you don’t have to specialise in a subject area until university and, even then, it can be quite late on at university, so don’t worry if you’re not sure!

      Also, I would say to try to find out more about the subject than you get taught at school. For me that’s where you find out some of the most interesting stuff! There are loads of resources available online so find something you’re keen in and search for any videos or podcasts on it.

      Finally, just keep working hard at things you enjoy and try to keep hold of that enthusiasm for the subject. It will take you a long way!

    • Photo: Emma Markham

      Emma Markham answered on 14 Jun 2019:

      It’s great you are interested in becoming a scientist!

      I would say it’s never to early to start volunteering with a science type activity (your local nature park, an animal rescue, St Johns ambulance, science clubs, etc) or shadowing the profession you are interested in (shadowing a doctor or visiting a lab for a day, shadowing a ranger in a nature reserve, etc). This will help you determine if you are interested in the day to day reality of the job and also provide good evidence for personal statements when applying to university courses and for experience on your CV.

      If you can join after-school science clubs, take online courses, read popular science books, this will give you a wider range of information in different ways and in more context, and will help improve your grades and give you greater choice of universities and scholarships.

      I would highly recommend finding a mentor who currently works in science and can help you along the way, answer your questions, read your university application, support and inspire you. You can find a mentor by speaking to you teacher, as they might have a organisation or network which could help. Other organisations like STEM Ambassadors, Modern Muse and Stemettes all offer one-to-one mentoring.

      Hope that helps!

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