• Question: Do you have any advice for students who are interested in becoming scientists?

    Asked by anon-217209 to Savannah, Philippe, Lucy, Joanna, Harrison, Edoardo on 12 Jun 2019.
    • Photo: Joanna Huang

      Joanna Huang answered on 12 Jun 2019:

      I would say, find a subject you really like, and don’t hold back!! Stay curious, and keep asking questions no matter how silly they might seem in your head. Read lots of books (lots and lots of books), participate in cool programs like this one, and never give up. You can achieve anything that you put your mind to 🙂

    • Photo: Harrison Prosper

      Harrison Prosper answered on 12 Jun 2019:

      Joanna hit the nail on the head. Find something that you really like, or are very good at, and reach for the stars. And stick with it.

    • Photo: Savannah Clawson

      Savannah Clawson answered on 12 Jun 2019:

      I think the others have already given some great answers here – at the end of the day, if you are truly interested in and passionate about science, you can become a scientist. Yes it is important to work hard in school and grades do matter too but the main thing is that you enjoy what you are doing and the rest will follow. Keep taking part in science events like this, read books, watch YouTube videos (some of my favourite science channels are SciShow, VSauce, Veritasium and Looking Glass Universe). Big science organisations and experiments always have good websites for learning more too, like CERN: https://home.cern/
      .
      Also, don’t be put off when things feel tough or you feel like you aren’t good enough – everyone feels like that sometimes! The world is always in need of more scientists and everyone has the potential to become one 🙂

    • Photo: Edoardo Vescovi

      Edoardo Vescovi answered on 13 Jun 2019: last edited 13 Jun 2019 1:17 am

      I sketched what should get you on board in the question “what advice would you give us if we wanted to become a scienctist??”.
      Basically, math and general interest in science is a good start. Spend free time to read blogs, encyclopaedias, books, find answers and bring other questions to feed your mind. Don’t underestimate the internet for getting a full view, but don’t get stuck there either. Textbooks have so much material that isn’t fully taught in class. Why not starting there? Has your school a library? Is there a science fair? Your teachers can suggest other opportunities.
      Choose high school and university to study your favourite topic. Participate in the Erasmus programme to study abroad and get a view of the outer world. Science will ask to travel and speak English anyway. Universities’ websites give a view of jobs with a degree in your hands. Some have more specific offers than others. Where do students go next? Look at statistics. Which job do you want to do? Which one will make you happy?
      The big step is getting to a job in research. It’s too early to see how it will be in 10-15 years, but surely you’ll need a good scientist to understand the secrets of the job. Science is fun, but now also a job with ups and downs like those of your parents, brothers and older friends. Don’t give up and enjoy what you do.

    • Photo: Philippe Gambron

      Philippe Gambron answered on 14 Jun 2019:

      Don’t let them scare you. Studying science can seem daunting but, in fact, once you get into it, it is not that difficult and feels natural. So, if you are passionate about it, go for it. It will work.

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