• Question: i was thinking of becoming a scientist but i dont real think i have potential what do you suggest i do ????

    Asked by deannee to Davie, Gemma, James P, James V, Nuala on 27 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by re09.
    • Photo: James Pope

      James Pope answered on 27 Jun 2012:

      Hi deanee,

      When I was in high school, I really enjoyed science, but I could never have dreamed of becoming a PhD student working in science, even 4 years ago I wasn’t certain I’d be good enough to get a place doing a PhD, but I went for it, worked for it and got it. At high school age, you have the potential to be whatever you want to be from your school subjects, you just have to be willing to work hard and you’ll get were you want to be. Believe in yourself, work hard and do what you get the most enjoyment from. There is nothing to stop you being a scientist if it is what you want to do, so just go for it, you have nothing to lose!

    • Photo: Nuala Carson

      Nuala Carson answered on 28 Jun 2012:

      hey deannee ,

      Thats great news you are interested in having a career in science. I would suggest finding out what grades you need to get into some university courses you are interested in. this will give you an idea of what sort of level you would be expected to be at. Then work as hard as you can to reach those grades.

      You get all sorts of scientists, I work with some guys who are scarily smart! And that kind of makes yo feel like I am not good enough. But just remember that not everyone is a genius and you can still have a great career in science!

    • Photo: James Verdon

      James Verdon answered on 28 Jun 2012:

      Hi deannee,
      Many scientist didn’t get amazing marks in school. If you’re really keen on becoming a scientist, try to stick with it, work hard and get the best grades you can. As Nuala suggests, have a look around for university courses that you might like to do and see what A-level grades you’d need for them, and that will give you an idea of what to aim for.

      Also remember that actually being a scientist is a lot different to learning about science in a class. It’s not just about remembering facts and equations and things. We don’t have to remember things for exams, if we forget something we can just look it up in a book.

      It’s more important to have a curious mind, so that you find new problems to investigate, or a creative mind to see problems in a different way to other people, and to be determined enough to keep working hard to see a problem through to end.

    • Photo: Davie Galloway

      Davie Galloway answered on 2 Jul 2012:

      hi deanne …

      i never thought of being a scientist until i was in my late 20’s … up until then i was an engineer … i ended up studying with the open university for my degree in science … but when i started the course i didn’t think i had they potential and that the course was going to be too hard … however, i ended up really enjoying the course and sailed through it probably because i enjoyed the things i was studying

      believe in yourself … and remember not all scientists are the same and there are all types of science careers that you can go for … there are a few scientists at my work who i think are at a genius level and some of the things they study or research are way out of my league … as i said there are all sorts of science careers

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