The Little Careers Book

࢚࢚ Choosing the three sciences and maths at A level keeps all options open. ࢚࢚ Your career ambition dictates the educational pathway required, but there are very few entry points from A levels alone. ࢚࢚ At minimum, you need a good BSc degree (and grade) in the science subject you intend to research; almost impossible otherwise, unless you want to work in technical support for which you need a diploma. ࢚࢚ Choose a field very carefully, ideally one that is future-proof, such as research into heart disease, cancer, dementia, data processing or robotics. ࢚࢚ If you don’t know what you want to specialise in, take a more general degree first since these allow movement into other areas. ࢚࢚ For your degree, choose a university whose scientific research output is excellent, specifically in the area in which you might like to specialise. ࢚࢚ Choose a sandwich course, one with an industrial placement to get practical lab experience with good contacts for helping find a job later on. ࢚࢚ While an MSc might get you a job, a PhD is necessary to progress in research and development (R&D), to be a principal investigator in academia or industry. ࢚࢚ Several years as a postdoctoral research fellow won’t hurt. ࢚࢚ For post-graduate degrees, the reputation of the lab and the person who you will work with as well as what you do and get published is more important than what university you attend. ࢚࢚ Pick an up-and-coming professor to work with, someone who has had early success in a novel field or is using newly developed techniques that will be important in the future. TRUTHS ࢚࢚ You have to have quantitative/statistics skills. If you are not able to get at least a B in A level maths, then think twice about a career in scientific research. ࢚࢚ The ability to succinctly summarise complex data and explain what it means (to funding bodies, investors, and the public) is highly prized; think Professors Brian Cox or Robert Winston. ࢚࢚ Early career jobs can focus on laboratory experiments, data analysis, and writing scientific papers, all of which require good technical skills. ࢚࢚ Despite myths to the contrary, scientific researchers must be very good at written and spoken communication. ࢚࢚ Success with large scientific projects depends on effective interdisciplinary teamwork and good project management skills. ࢚࢚ You need to keep up with IT skills (including writing computer code) so you don’t become a dinosaur. ࢚࢚ Scientists who are confident, optimistic and enthusiastic, and can network and collaborate well with others usually do well. ࢚࢚ The most successful scientists have an ability to capture the imagination of others and inspire them. ࢚࢚ Many success factors in business are surprisingly the same for scientific research – believe it! ࢚࢚ There is a very strong push to develop commercially attractive ideas into new products, and this is an increasingly important role of scientific research. ࢚࢚ Being able to write winning grant proposals can be essential for success in grant-funded research roles. ࢚࢚ You have to be organised – and organise others – including good time management, prioritisation and finishing! ࢚࢚ Scientists can be prickly, precious and territorial, so being diplomatic is vital. TRUTHS XX You need to be super intelligent to succeed as a research scientist. MYTHS PATHWAYS TO ENTRY KEY SKILLS XX Once you have earned a PhD, you will need no further training or education for the rest of your career. MYTHS