When you are a scientist, you have the exciting task of exploring the fundamental laws of the natural universe. You have the ability to study the ways in which natural substances function in the world. You can work for a diverse array of companies. You can decide to work as a biochemist, environmental scientist, physicist or mathematician. Scientists are able to enjoy great flexibility throughout their careers. You may even decide that you want to teach at the university level. If you make the decision to become a scientist, you should be prepared to devote a significant number of years to your education plan. Becoming a scientist also requires focused attention and diligence. Maybe you have wondered, “How do I become a scientist?” If you want to become a scientist, then you should be prepared to specialize in a field upon your graduation from college.
What’s it like to be a scientist?
As a scientist, you may be responsible for designing an experiment or research study for a company. Scientists are usually very independent. You should be willing to work by yourself in order to explore the chemical nature of a product that a company is planning on releasing into the market place. One of your tasks may also be to test the safety of a product for the public’s use. You may also work for a university and conduct research studies on a regular basis. You may work with students and help them understand different concepts of the science field. Some scientists also design their own research studies apart from companies. You may be able to conduct your own research study by applying for a grant from the government. Applying for grants is one task that takes up a lot of the time of scientists.
Education Requirements
To become a scientist, you should obtain your bachelor’s degree in science. It is also important for you to look at the different specialized programs that are offered by colleges. If you know that you want to become an environmental scientist, then you should make sure that a college offers this type of program. You should make sure that a college offers a major in physics if this is your true passion. You do not want to pursue a general sciences education if you already know about a specialty that you would like to pursue. Also, you should be aware that some specialized fields may require that you have an advanced education. You may need to obtain a master’s degree or Ph.D if you intend on becoming a chemical engineer or physicist.
Salary & How to Get a Job
According to the BLS, the salary of a scientist can vary from $66,000 to $120,000 a year. If you become a scientist in a field like oil engineering, then you can expect to make a very high salary every year. If you decide to work as an environmental scientist, then your salary will be significantly lower. You should consider the demand for scientists in the particular specialized field that you want to enter. It is important for you to know whether you will be able to obtain a job upon graduation from a college program. You want to ensure that you will be able to make an adequate salary too.
References
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_2296662_become-scientist.html
2. http://www.bls.gov/k12/science04.htm