“The scientist is motivated primarily by curiosity and a desire for truth.” - Irving Langmuir
A lot of us have wanted to become Scientists since we were little children. We have wanted to unravel mysteries, discover new facts and find the reasons behind the way this world functions. But we forget that becoming a Scientist is not as easy as it sounds.
So then, who exactly are Scientists? Are they actually like the way they are shown in the movies with long white hair and shabby lab coats? No.
As a matter of fact, Scientists are very intelligent people that lead a normal life. Their job is to conduct research about the particular field that interests them. They study extensively about that particular topic and come up with theories that they hope to prove through experiments and case studies. Scientists explain why things are the way they are and they come up with new concepts and theories. Scientists generally publish their research in journals that are read by colleagues and other prominent scientists. They are generally funded by granting agencies and educational institutions.
What we often do not realize is the amount of contribution that Scientists have made to this world. Almost every single man-made thing is the contribution of a Scientist of one kind or the other. All the things that we use in our daily lives such as utensils, cars, elevators, shoes etc. have been invented by Scientists.
Research
The main job of a Scientist is to conduct research. This is applicable to every Scientist in the world, regardless of his area and subject of study. Research basically refers to the process of studying and observing your area of interest, finding new conclusions and establishing facts based on your study. At times, research leads to conclusions that end up proving facts that have been established earlier as false.
Road to becoming a Scientist:
You can become a Scientist in any field that interests you. This can be sports, physics, chemistry, sociology and so on. Scientists need to grasp as much information as they can about their particular field of interest. So you should start paying attention to your field of interest from the time you’re in school.
Once you finish your school, you need to complete a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in the field you’re interested in. Not only that, you should preferably also do a PhD in the same field. Even though this is not necessary, it is advisable to do so.
Once you’ve completed your PhD in that field, it is time to begin your research. You have to choose the exact aspect of your field that your research will be related to. Normally, at this junction of their lives, Scientists take up jobs in institutions that grant funds for research. These can include research companies and even academic institutions. A lot of academic institutions might ask you to teach in the University while conducting your research.
Once you’ve started your research, you’re on your own. You have your experiments, your knowledge and your brilliance. Some end up becoming famous scientists and win accolades, and some remain professors. Either way, you will lead a respectable life that is full of knowledge. Not only that, you will always have the possibility of arriving at a conclusion that can be historic.
Types of Scientists:
Most people make the mistake of assuming that the word ‘Scientists’ refers to people who’re conducting research in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Math and Biology only. But that is far from the truth. The fact is that you can become a Scientist in any field that interests you. There are Political Scientists, Social Scientists and even Sport Scientists! The list is endless.
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies like Planets, Stars, Asteroids, and Meteors etc. Astronomers study the nature of individual planetary bodies and their existence as a whole. Scientists have been conducting research in this field since ancient times. Some famous astronomers are Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Sir Isaac Newton and Aryabhatta.
A physicist is a scientist that conducts his research in the field of Physics. This can range from the study of sub atomic particles to the presence of the universe as a whole. Albert Einstein, Neils Bohr and Satyendra Nath Bose are some famous physicists.
A biotechnologist is a trained scientist who focuses his research on living systems and organisms to develop new and useful products. Biotechnologists contribute a lot to the fields of medicine and agriculture. Craig Venter is a very famous biotechnologist.
As the name suggests, a geneticist is a scientist who conducts research in the field of genes, inheritance and variation in living organisms. Geneticists study the pattern behind inheritance of skills and diseases. Some famous geneticists are Rosalind Franklin, Paul Berg and Alfred Hershey.
Chemists are the scientists that study the chemical properties of substances. They research about properties like acidity and density of a particular substance. Chemists study how elements react and what compounds they form. Some famous chemists are Melvin Calvin and Albert Einstein.
A geologist is a scientist who studies the matter that constitutes the Earth and also the reasons that led to its origin and current state. Some famous geologists are Alfred Wegener and William Smith.
Psychologists are scientists who study the human mind. They diagnose and treat mental diseases. They also study mental processes and sometimes provide mental health care. Some famous psychologists are Alfred Adler, Mary Whiton Calkins and Gordon Allport.
Contrary to popular opinion, economists are also scientists who study the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. They come up with theories and models and try to prove them with the help of experiments. Some famous economists are Adam Smith and Ludwig von Mises.
A sociologist is a social scientist who studies human behavior and interaction. They try to find out how people think, feel and interact with others and they also study the reasons behind these human activities. Some famous sociologists are Max Weber, Auguste Comte and E. Franklin Frazier.
There are innumerable other fields that you can become a Scientist in. The trick is to choose the field that interests you. Only then will you have the passion and determination to keep moving towards success.
Life of a Scientist
The life of a Scientist is full of disappointments, struggles and difficulties. Sometimes, you take years to come up with a theory, and then realize that the theory is wrong. Therefore, as a Scientist, you need to be patient and dedicated. You have to be ready to convince people to fund your research because no research can take place without money.
Scientists spend their whole lives in laboratories working on one experiment or the other. Scientists mostly work alone and that too for very less pay. They keep learning and coming up with theories. What keeps them going is their drive to uncover new realities, confidence and belief in themselves as well as their love for their field of study. So if you love a subject as much as that, then becoming a Scientist is a possibility.
5 Tips that can help you become a Scientist:
- Learn and Study your subject as much as possible. Read as many books and journals as possible.
- Join a local nature or science centre that gives you adequate exposure to the vast world of scientific discoveries.
- Attend as many seminars and lectures by famous scientists and professors. These will help you understand the sort of problems you might face while conducting research.
- Assist a Scientist in his research work. You can work with him as a student or as an intern. Learn from him as much as possible. This will help you get a realistic idea of how research is conducted.
- Learn to question things. You need to able to develop an inquisitive attitude towards the world and its mysteries. Try and find answers to your questions on own. That’s what Scientists do!
