• Question: i love science and i would like to continue it after school, but i dont know of the types of jobs you can do, any suggestions?

    Asked by jaadehulley1997 to Jamie, Jodie, Kat, Mark, Niamh on 19 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Jamie Pringle

      Jamie Pringle answered on 18 Mar 2011:

      Hello jaadehulley1997,

      There are loads of science jobs that you could do – you dont have to be a rocket scientist! What science subject interests you most? Then concentrate on that, do ‘A’ levels and perhaps do a degree in that subject. Then you should be able to get a job in it, hopefully.

      If you can give us some more information, we may be able to help more.

    • Photo: Katherine Davies

      Katherine Davies answered on 18 Mar 2011:

      Hi

      Wow there are so many. What I would suggest is that you study what interests you most. At college I studied all three sciences to A-level, and Maths, because I enjoyed them. I found forensics most interesting in general, so did a forensic Biology degree (as I was best at biology), and then got into studying insects in my first year, because they were fascinating.

      There are too many jobs to list here. If you enjoy working with animals, how about zoology (working in a zoo), a vet or vet nurse, or in marine biology, with fish, exotic animals etc. If you are interested in DNA and how we develop, you could look at studying molecular biology, which can help contribute to our disease understanding. There is so much out there, there will be something you love.

    • Photo: Niamh Nic Daeid

      Niamh Nic Daeid answered on 18 Mar 2011:

      Hi Jaade

      Thanks for your question. There are a huge number of jobs available to you in science. I would suggest you talk to your career guidance person in your school (if you have one) and they can give you loads of information about different career paths. You should think about studying science further in University as well which would open more doors for you.

    • Photo: Mark Hill

      Mark Hill answered on 19 Mar 2011:

      Hi Jaade,

      Science forms such an important part in daily life that science skills are found, or needed, in many areas. Science careers can be found in engineering, both mechanical and construction, medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmaceutical, agricultural science, research (which is a really big area) and forensic science. I am obviously involved in the forensic science aspect, in a really specialized role. However, so is Jamie, in geophysics, Kat, in forensic entomology, with her flies, Niamh, in her drug and forensic analysis and Jodie in her chemistry disciplines.

      However, all of us come from the same starting point – science in school. It is just that we have pursued our interests further.

      Forensic science is literally ‘science for the courts’. There are Scenes of Crime Officers, who are usually police staff who visit and examine crime scenes, from burglaries to rape and murder scenes.

      Forensic scientists are usually lab based. They analyse and examine evidence submitted to them by the police and other agencies. They also deal with submissions from the defendants legal teams as well. Some forensic scientists also visit the scene of crimes, to conduct tests such as those Jamie makes, to try and find hidden objects, bodies and the like. Other scientists, such as those who analyse blood patterns also visit scenes, amongst many others.

      I have only just started this list. It would be very large if I was not to miss out any science discipline. However, your best way to find out more would be to speak with your science teachers, or contact science lecturers at colleges and universities. You are bound to find someone who can give you a lot of advice in how to find your way into a fascinating and very varied world.

      I wish you the very best of luck, in finding an aspect of science that you really enjoy.

      Thanks for your question.

      Mark.

Comments

  • Photo: jaadehulley1997

    jaadehulley1997 commented on :

    Thank you everyone they were really helpful answers! 😀
    And the thing im interested in most is working in a morgue, i think its called a pathologist? Or even working in the CSI (because that seems really fun!) ill try to follow those up with my future studies.
    Thank you again 🙂

    Jaade.

  • Photo: Niamh

    Niamh commented on :

    Hi Jaade

    You’re right the pathologist is the person who’s job it is to try and determine cause and circumstances of death. Forensic Anthropologists do similar work.

    For pathology you need to study medicine first and then specialise in pathology and then specialise further in forensic pathology.

    For forensic anthropology, a degree in anatomy of forensic anthropology is probably the best option and then a post graduate in forensic anthropology