How did you get into science? Any tips on ways to get into a job with science?

Question: How did you get into science? Any tips on ways to get into a job with science?
- Keywords:
  advice,
  career
Asked by anon-373832 on 9 Nov 2023.
- Octavia Brayley answered on 9 Nov 2023:
  
  When I was really young I wanted to be a marine biologist. My dad was a nature lover and he used to buy me lots of animal books when I was younger and we would watch a lot of David Attenborough together. This is where my love for science started I think. But when I went to secondary school, I didn’t have good science teachers and I stopped enjoying it entirely. I focused on English and History as I loved to write, and I thought I might go into environmental journalism. I actually took combined science at GCSE as I was sure I wouldn’t take any science for A-Level! But I had a realisation as I was finishing my GCSE exams that I really did still want to do science in the future, but of course, I was quite behind with my understanding. So A-levels were really tough for me. I didn’t do well in my first year, but I worked really hard in my second year and got some extra tutoring in my subjects, and I was able to get the grades needed for the University of Bristol to study Zoology. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do for the first year or two of my degree (and many people don’t know until they finish, or years after!) but I started tutoring and decided I loved teaching. I was also able to get involved with lots of additional research projects at university and this helped me realise that I also enjoyed scientific research and being able to discover new things. I did a master’s degree in marine biology and then applied for PhD’s (the highest degree you can get), which is what I’m doing now. Although, it did take me 3 years of applications and about 35 rejections for me to actually obtain a Ph.D. place! I have taken the conventional academic route to be a scientist, but there are plenty of other options. Most scientific jobs would prefer you to have at least an undergraduate degree (which takes 3 years), but you don’t have to stay at university for as long as me! There are also options to apply for jobs without a degree…for example, apprenticeships are a great option. If you’re interested in science, have research to see what jobs might interest you, and then start thinking about working experience or volunteering. If there aren’t any obvious opportunities on organisation websites, just email someone! You never know what you might be offered. Here are some links about work experience for science degrees:
  
  https://successatschool.org/advice/science-work-experience/1145
  
  Science
  
  Let me know if you have any other questions! 🙂
- Ian McKinley answered on 10 Nov 2023:
  
  For me it was easy, as I started with a BSc and then PhD at university – from this I had a wide choice of jobs in different areas of science. At present, however, there is a huge shortage of scientists and so it is easier to start working at a technical level and then get on-the-job training. In the UK you have the advantage of being taught in English, which also opens lots of opportunities internationally.
- Jonathan Allen answered on 10 Nov 2023:
  
  I have always been interested in science through building things and taking things apart to see how they work. I knew I wanted to be an engineer and really enjoyed maths and science when at school. I then went to university to learn more before applying for a job. While at university I worked in factories during my summer holidays to see what it was really like to be an engineer.
  
  My tips for you would be to look around to see what kind of science jobs there are – there are so many and you can find lots of inspiring articles and videos online (e.g. https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/science-and-research). And, when you are old enough, try to do some work experience in the types of companies you find interesting to see if it’s for you. If you are unsure whether you want to be a specific type of scientist (e.g. you like physics, but not sure if you want to be an astrophysicist, a nuclear physicist or any other type) then going for a more ‘general’ science degree at university would probably be better than something too ‘specific’. Also, if university is not for you, then maybe try an apprenticeship so you can be working and learning at the same time.
- Alana McNulty answered on 10 Nov 2023:
  
  I loved science at school and was guided towards studying for a degree at a university. Following a chemistry degree I did a PhD in nuclear geochemistry, though many of the people I work with now don’t have PhDs, and many never went to university.
  There are so many pathways to science jobs now, including apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships (which give you the work experience to set you apart from university graduates too!).
  If you choose university, once you’re there I’d recommend looking for summer internships in the areas of science you’re interested in. There are also courses that offer industrial placements which give you that bit of extra experience too.
  LinkedIn can be a really great tool too. Finding people who are working for companies in the areas you’re interested in and reaching out for advice and potentially trying to get some experience over the summers is always worth a try!
- Ashley Hecklinger answered on 10 Nov 2023:
  
  It really depends on what type of science-job you’re interested in, but to get a job in science I would recommend getting experience through internships or volunteer opportunities for the type of work you want to do (so for example, volunteer / intern / shadow in a lab to get lab experience). This will also help you gain references. Additionally, make sure you have the required test scores to get into a university degree programme you are interested in, and to eventually obtain the academic qualifications for the science job you want to do. For example, there are some science jobs that you may only need a Bachelor’s degree, but for others you may need further education like a Master’s degree or Doctorate degree (PhD). For my job as a marine scientist in the industry, I needed a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree, but long-term I will likely benefit from a PhD since I am a research scientist.
- Andrew Lyon answered on 10 Nov 2023:
  
  I was always interested in how things worked so was drawn to physics and chemistry. I was also interested in the environment and although didn’t have a specific career in mind I wanted to do something with an environmental theme.
  
  I struggled at A-Level so decided not to go to University, instead I decided to try and get a job with training. It took a while but I applied for a type of apprenticeship in the Environment Agency (it was called the National Rivers Authority back then) that was a 2 year course with a day release to study HNC Chemistry. After that I did a specialised diploma course that gave me the equivalent of a degree so I got there in the end. This was a long time ago (before the internet!) and back then there was very limited information and few degrees and training courses related to the environment.
  
  I think a good place to start is to look at a few different aspects of science that you are interested in and you should be able to see what sort of jobs are available and also what you need to think about and do to be able to do any particular job. Usually there are a number of different ways to get into science from apprenticeships, on the job training to degree courses and there are very useful resources online, some of which other scientists have included in their responses which will hopefully help.
- Amy Stockwell answered on 10 Nov 2023:
  
  At secondary school I loved science lessons, so knew that I wanted to study that for A-levels. Then I got to do a Women into Engineering week and decided that I preferred science to engineering, so decided to study chemistry at university.
  
  I did student placements during my summer holidays at university which made me decide that I definitely wanted to be a scientist. And the experience was useful in my job interviews.
  
  My tip is to do a degree or apprenticeship in science. Then you will have the skills and knowledge to get a job in science. Also you learn many useful skills (logic, research, asking questions) which are transferrable to other jobs, so even if you decide not to be a scientist you will have had a useful education.