• Question: what qualifications do you need to become a scientist

    Asked by charlottelidster to Chris, Eva, Michael, Paddy, Philip on 13 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by jayman123.
    • Photo: Philip Denniff

      Philip Denniff answered on 11 Jun 2011:

      None, just do science, be it tracking snails in the back garden . Some of our greatest scientists never had any qualifications.

    • Photo: Michael Wharmby

      Michael Wharmby answered on 11 Jun 2011:

      Enthusiasm is a very good starting point! Keep asking questions about why the world works as it does and you’re on the road.
      In terms of actual qualifications, get your GCSEs. Then your A/S-levels. Then your A-levels. Then go to university and get a degree. After that you can become a scientist on a graduate program of some sort. But you can carry on (as I am doing) and get a PhD. Then you can become Dr charlottelidster – how cool is that? And you might get a nice hat too!
      Hats aside, it is a long slog, but most of it is good fun (the whole being a student bit, in 6th form and then at university are the best bits!), and then at the end of it, you get paid to get answers to all those questions that you’re interested in!

    • Photo: Paddy Brock

      Paddy Brock answered on 12 Jun 2011:

      I agree with the guys, technical qualifications aside, the most important thing is interest and enthusiasm. You might find out that something you’re interested in or a way of thinking has never struck you as being science, but that it turns out to be.

    • Photo: Chris Jordan

      Chris Jordan answered on 12 Jun 2011:

      If you were a Victorian – say 150 years ago, you just needed to be rich and a man.
      Now, unless you’re rich, you probably need to get a degree at least, and better still a degree then a further qualification.

    • Photo: Eva Bachmair

      Eva Bachmair answered on 13 Jun 2011:

      curiosity – patience – be at the right time at the right place aka luck
      These three already make a nice cocktail. Being smart might add some spices as well on your way to become a scientist.

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