• Question: When i grow older and i finish university i want to be a forensic scientist do you have any advice for me?

    Asked by littlemisstiger to Davie, Gemma, James P, James V, Nuala on 3 Jul 2012.
    • Photo: James Verdon

      James Verdon answered on 3 Jul 2012:

      Hi littlemisstiger,
      I think there are a number of universities that offer degrees in forensics. I had a friend from school who did a degree in forensic chemistry (although he went into the Army afterwards….). So I’d recommend searching online for some of them, and see what A-level subjects they recommend doing. Once you’ve finished your degree, I’m sure you’ll have an idea of where to go for jobs.

      In the meantime, try and get in contact with someone who might be able to offer you some work experience. I don’t know whether the police would be able to offer anything. There are also various private labs around that do forensic work, so you could try searching for one and just sending them a letter asking if they can offer work experience.

    • Photo: Nuala Carson

      Nuala Carson answered on 3 Jul 2012:

      hey littlemisstiger,

      Thats great you are thinking about what you want to do for a career. My advice would be to do some research into what subjects and grades you need to get to study forensic science at university. lots of university’s offer specific courses on it now.

      I would warn you though that forensic science isnt what you see on tv, so if you can speak to someone who does it as a job or try and arrange some work experience there for a few days in the summer. That will give you an idea of what its really like so you can decide if it is for you or not.

      Good luck!

    • Photo: Davie Galloway

      Davie Galloway answered on 3 Jul 2012:

      hi littlemisstiger,

      I’m glad (and impressed) that you know what you want especially that you want to go to, and finish, university and have career in science. The only advice i can offer is to do a bit of research about the subjects you’ll need and indeed the grades you’ll need to study forensic science at university. I’d also try get in touch with someone who’s involved in forensic science as their chosen career, perhaps you could do this through your careers officer (if they still have those at school?) and ask their advice and even better try arrange some work experience with them.

      Hope it all works out for you and you achieve your goals

    • Photo: James Pope

      James Pope answered on 3 Jul 2012:

      Hi littlemisstiger,

      I know a guy who works as a forensic scientist looking at peoples mobile phones and computers and he has told me how varied the work can be, but as the others have said, try and find some work experience to make sure it is what you want it to be.

      It is awesome that you want to have a career in science though and I’m sure we’d all agree that you just have to go for it if it’s what you want to do! Good luck and have fun!

Comments