Science Careers
When most of us think of science careers, we probably think of scientists in laboratories doing research but that's not everything that has to do with science. Science research is of course important, because without research we wouldn't be able to discover new information that would be helpful. And, knowledge of the physical sciences is necessary for just about any career in science you may want. Because it's pretty technical, and because you'll need a basic understanding of the area you want to go into if you plan to do science research, for example, most of the time you're going to need at least a four-year college degree. Some laboratory technicians, though, for example, can begin their careers in science research with a two-year associate's degree.
Is Education Really Necessary?
For the most part, you will need some formal education of some type, such as an associate's degree, to go into a career in science. In some cases, for example, if you work in your family's business and it's within the scientific field, such as within botany, for example, you may be able to go to school and work at the same time, such that you won't need to finish your schooling before you begin your career. Of course, however, with a degree of some sort, you're usually guaranteed better pay, greater opportunity for advancement, and a larger choice in terms of career venues when it comes to science research in the physical sciences in general, should you choose to go into this area.
Types of Science Careers
The field of science is so broad that the choice of careers is also almost endless. For example, library science and forensic science both are fields within the area of science, but of course they're very different in nature. Marine biology, virology, and zoology are still other choices within the broad category of "science research" that nonetheless are so diverse they could be entirely different fields. Then, of course there is political science, which really has nothing to do with laboratories and microscopes at all. Computer science does not have anything to do with that either, at least in the traditional sense.
What Do You Choose For a Science Career?
It's really up to you, and your choices are wide open when it comes to science research. If you like politics, for example, political science may be your venue. If you want to study pollution, its causes and effects, and how to remedy it, you may decide to become an environmental scientist. Truly, the choice of careers when it comes to science research is so broad that just about anything goes.
Most often, those who want to work in some type of science research want to further knowledge so that they can help people. If this is you, then a career in science may also be for you. Take a look at the vast array of choices available to you in the sciences, and see if one is right for you.
