Schools and Degrees
Hastings College - B.A. Physics & Math
U. of Tennessee Knoxville - Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Present Position
Chemistry Guide for About.com & Science Consultant
What I Did:
I was always interested in science. My actual career goal was to become an astronaut, but I never had good enough vision so I worked toward that goal (knowing I probably wouldn't reach it) and studied science and math.
My Education
I never really specialized. My education has covered physics, math, biology, chemistry, astronomy, medicine and computer science. I went straight from my bachelor's degree to a Ph.D. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably aim for a Ph.D./M.D. combination. It's much harder to pick up additional advanced degrees once you start working or have a family. I still take classes and gain certifications to stay current.
Lessons Learned
- Don't give up! If something is important to you, keep at it. Even if you do not reach your goal, you'll be amazed by what you'll gain just from trying to reach it.
- If you are interested in becoming a scientist, I recommend doing an internship or otherwise gaining some work experience while you are attending school (even if you don't get paid). This will make your chances of getting a job much better.
- Go for a masters or doctorate. It's really hard (though not impossible) to get a good position without an advanced degree.
