Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

Scientists study how the universe works or specific aspects of it. They build hypotheses from initial observations, test hypotheses through observations and additional tests, and then evaluate results to confirm or reject their hypotheses. Scientists often work in university environment, business or government agencies. If you want to become a scientist, it will take time - but this path is also full of fun and happiness.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Laying the foundations

1. 

   Focus on essential subjects in high school. Starting from high school and then going to college, you should choose subjects that train you in analytical and critical thinking skills - important skills of a scientist. You must do this to have a chance to grow later on.
   • You need to study math in depth. Scientists in the physical sciences use a lot of math knowledge, namely algebra, integrals and analytic geometry, while those in biological sciences use math less. All scientists need to know enough about statistics to apply in their work.
   • Consider joining a science camp when you were in high school. You will be involved in projects that are more specialized than the usual science curriculum in class.

2. 

   
   
   Starting with the basics in college. Although your specialization will be more specific in the future, you will still need to choose basic biology, chemistry and physics courses to have the foundation of each discipline, as well as scientific method used for observation, hypothesis and testing. You can also take some optional optional subjects, depending on your interests or to learn about many fields, which will help you define your major later. After a year or two, you can focus on a particular branch of science.
   • Skills in one or two foreign languages ​​will also help you, helping you to read scientific articles that have not been translated into English. The best languages ​​to learn include French, German and Russian.

3. 

   
   
   Choose a major in your area of ​​interest. After a little more experience and familiarity with career orientation, choose a major in a specific field of science. Planetary science? Medicine? Psychology? Genetics? Agriculture?
   • If you want or if your university does not have all the necessary options, you can wait until later (when graduate school) to identify a more specific specialty. There is no problem in a general discipline like chemistry.

4. 

   
   
   Internship at the university. You should build relationships and get to work as soon as possible. Get in touch with one of your professors about the internship - you can also put your name on a journal article.
   • The above method will give you 100% practical work experience in the laboratory, help the graduate study process and assist you in finding more serious jobs in the future. It also shows that you value studying in college and understand what people expect from you.

5. 

   Hone your writing skills. When you become a scientist, you need to write well to receive research grants and to publish research results in scientific journals. High school English classes and university writing courses on specialized topics will help you improve your skills.
   • Always read scientific journals and follow the development of the science you pursue. At the right time, your name will be on those journals soon. Read the articles in the journal to learn about the structure and basic elements of a standard scientific essay.
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Method 2 of 3: Graduate school

1. 

   Doing MA. Although a bachelor's degree may be suitable for a number of career positions in commerce and industry, most scientists have at least a master's degree and more likely a doctorate. Master's programs are built towards research and development of new theories, through working with professors and other scientists, while also applying the most modern technology. Most graduate programs last at least 4 years, possibly longer, depending on the nature of the study.
   • At this point, you need to define your major - a specific discipline you can focus on.This will make your job more special, narrowing down the competition in your chosen industry.

2. 

   Join an internship research. When in graduate study, you need to look for internship opportunities related to your major. The number of professors researching what is right for you will be relatively small - that means you have to look for opportunities in many places.
   • Professors, and generally your university, will assist you in finding internship opportunities and locations. Make use of every relationship so you can seize an opportunity that works for you.

3. 

   Sign up for the postdoctoral program. Postdoctoral programs provide additional training in the discipline you selected as a scientist. Previously these programs lasted for 2 years, but now for at least 4 years and possibly longer, depending on the major of study and other factors.
   • Additionally, upon completion of this program, you will continue to study for approximately three years postdoctoral. If you include 4 years of bachelor's degree, 5 years of master's degree and 3 years of research, you will have a total of 12 years of research before actually working. Be aware of the limits of this time period.

4. 

   Regularly update your knowledge. During this time as well as in your studies (and work), it is wise to keep up with your chosen major and related knowledge, by attending seminars. and read more approved scientific journals. Science is constantly changing - you can become obsolete in the blink of an eye.
   • You may know all the names of scientific journals in the small (and some large-scale) fields of research. As you read these journals, you will know who to ask when you need research assistance or help when it is needed.

5. 

   Continue to research and look for full-time employment opportunities. Scientists are always working on projects or ideas. This is required no matter what part of your career path you are in. However, after completing your postdoctoral studies, you will need a job. Here are some of the opportunities you might get:
   • Science teachers. The name of this job says it all, and you don't have to go to further education (depending on the level of education you want to teach). In many fields of science, you also need additional pedagogical credit.
   • Clinical researcher. Many scientists work at large companies or government agencies. In the United States, when you begin this career, you will be a clinical research officer. Your work will involve clinical studies, for example new drugs. You will record the date and follow the procedure to ensure that all activities are in compliance with the rules. Then you will analyze the projects you are working on, develop products (eg vaccines), or sometimes work with patients, doctors or experts on laboratory procedures.
   • A professor. Many scientists, in the end, have the goal of becoming professors. This is a fairly solid and well-paid career in the United States, and you can also make an impact on the lives of many others. However, understand that it can take decades to reach this position.
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Method 3 of 3: Think like a scientist

1. 

   Always curious. People choose to become scientists because basically, they are always curious about the world around them and how things work. This curiosity led them to delve into the ways and causes of what they saw, even as this research could take years to achieve results.
   • Coupled with curiosity is the ability to reject existing ideas and embrace new ideas. An initial assumption will usually not be supported by evidence gathered from observations and testing; that assumption will have to be changed or removed.

2. 

   Be patient in your career. As stated above, you will lose a long time to become a scientist. There are very few other jobs that take longer than this one. Even while you are studying, you must have accumulated research experience. If you are the type of person who wants to achieve results soon, a scientist is not necessarily the job for you.
   • Some science-related positions only require a bachelor's degree, others may require additional masters degrees. If you need to make money, these positions can be the right alternatives.

3. 

   Be diligent and patient, because you are choosing a difficult job. Someone once said, "If you include intelligence, quantitative skills, and hours worked, science-related occupations are the most underpaid jobs in the United States." This saying comes from the long way to succeed when you are a scientist; at the same time, you won't be able to live in a lavish manner for a long time. Everything will be relatively difficult.
   • You must also stick to deadlines for completing tasks, often unable to determine work hours, and work almost every time needed. All of these factors make your job difficult, and it is even more difficult to prolong this time.

4. 

   There is a need for regular learning. Basically, everything that scientists do towards the goal of finding knowledge. Whether it's reading a censored scientific journal, participating in a seminar, or making an effort to get a journal article, you will never stop learning. Does it sound like what you're doing every day? You are on the right track.

5. 

   Be patient, learn to observe and be creative. No scientist's job can be completed in a day, a week, a month, or even a year. In many cases, for example in clinical studies, you may not even see the following results many years. This can discourage you; Therefore, you need to be persistent if you want to be a good scientist.
   • Observation skill is also very important. While you are waiting for the results, you will constantly have to notice the smallest changes in the results you expect to get. Your eyes should be especially focused and ready at all times.
   • In terms of creative thinking, think of an apple that falls on the head of New Zealand, or an Armenian jumping into a bath and causing water to overflow. Many people will not think about these phenomena, but these scientists see something different - things that no one at that time realized. To make new strides in human knowledge, you must think in a new way.
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Advice

• In the United States, the Association of Clinical Research Experts grants three types of certificates to clinical research professionals: Clinical Research Associate's Certification, Clinical Research Coordinator Certification, and Professional Certification. Researcher of Medicine. You just need to pass the test to get licensed.

Warning

• As the number of people studying for PhDs to become professors or work in the commercial field has increased, potential scientists will have to engage in a variety of postdoctoral studies before they can secure permanent jobs.
• Becoming a scientist requires special patience. The likelihood of success equals failure; therefore, you need to be willing to accept all results.