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Asked by anon-258433 on 18 Jul 2020.
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Ry Cutter answered on 18 Jul 2020:
great question!
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A good first place to start is by asking your teachers. They should know a little about getting started and help you figure out where you want to focus. Another brilliant place is your local library! Librarians are trained to help you find resources quickly and effectively, they’re usually excited to help as well.
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Next is to look online, this is easier if you have a specific area in mind. You can usually get some good info by typing “How to become a [insert STEM job]” into google. I found this for engineering: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/engineering-and-manufacturing/how-to-become-an-engineer .
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Depending on what kind of job you want will tell you where best to look. If you want to be a university style researcher, it’s best to look at university websites. If you’re looking for a more industrial data scientist position, you can look for blogs and advice written by people experienced in those fields. (I often read lots of blogs posts written by vets!)
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It’s important to know that you don’t have to pick what you want to do now an stick with it forever! Many scientists started studying one thing, but the overlap in the skills allowed them to transition to another kind of science. So don’t feel too much pressure to find the perfect job right away 😀
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Hope that helps,
Ry
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Emma Thorpe answered on 18 Jul 2020:
This is a site I used before uni (but it has been kept up to data don’t worry): https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs. Also try https://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/careers/stem-careers/ and https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/stem.
Maybe your teachers or science club leader might be able to organise virtual talks from scientists by organising through STEM ambassadors. Loads of profiles and videos with actual professionals here: https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/community/collection/448548/career-profiles-and-interviews-stem-professionals
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Katherine Haxton answered on 21 Jul 2020:
I’m probably a bit biased because I’m a chemist, but the Royal Society of Chemistry has a lovely site that shows you the kind of careers that chemistry can take you to: https://edu.rsc.org/future-in-chemistry
The Institute of Physics has this: https://www.iop.org/careers/i-am-at-school-college/index.htmlMore generally, you might find the National Careers Service helpful: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-careers
It’s worth looking to see what’s out there but like the other scientists have said, you don’t need to stick to it if you change your mind. If you’re picking subjects at school or courses at uni, it’s always good to have an idea of what you need to study for certain careers.
Comments
andy-kowalski commented on :
I work as a STEM Coach and Mentor and can give advice on topics related to careers within this sector and have given talks in the past.
If you have a specific question please advise and will try and answer.