Who helped u you along the way of your journey to be a scientist?

Samir Hopestone answered on 2 Mar 2020:

Hi,

My parents, teachers and professors at university, along with my friends of course! You need a good support network as being a scientist is hard work.

Nathan Kindred answered on 2 Mar 2020:

I think that my university lecturers and teachers at school were the biggest help on my journey to be a scientist but having support from friends and family was also helpful!

Jennifer Roe answered on 2 Mar 2020:

I am not a scientist in the true sense. I work as an animal technician so am classed as ‘technical staff’. For those scientists that work in medical research involving animals I have a skilled and important role that allows them to conduct their science. My parents where supportive but it was mainly my own drive that allowed me to do well in this career especially as I didn’t go to university.

Having awesome work colleagues also helps!

Robyn Kiy answered on 2 Mar 2020:

My science teachers at school made science lessons really interesting (most of the time, anyway…😂) so that definitely helped me decide to pursue science as a job. There have been loooaaads of people who have helped me in some way, either by teaching me something or just by encouraging me to carry on!

Andrea Kusec answered on 2 Mar 2020:

I didn’t get interested in being a scientist until I got to university. I liked science as a topic, but didn’t fully appreciate what it meant to conduct research. I think I knew I wanted to discover new treatments and advance science after working with patients in hospitals!

Beth Bartlett answered on 2 Mar 2020: last edited 2 Mar 2020 4:52 pm

When I was at school I did a week’s work experience at a science lab which was really what got me thinking that I could be a scientist and work in a lab one day. Every scientist who has ever been my boss has always been very keen to help me in my journey as a scientist and I have them to thank for getting this far (as well as my family and friends!)

Sarah Brown answered on 2 Mar 2020:

My cat definitely helped me a lot by being there for a cuddle and sitting with me while revising 😂 but also my parents, school teachers and most people I have met at university. Knowing and talking to lots of people is always great so that you can find the right person to help you when you need it. Whether that’s with work or support in general.

Ioana Grigoras answered on 2 Mar 2020:

My family and friends have been very supportive of my choice to become a scientist. An important role was also played by my English teacher in school, who was the first to suggest a career as a scientist and made me start thinking about it. I also had great professors who showed me how life as a scientist looks like, which was very helpful towards my decision.

Sarah Clarke answered on 2 Mar 2020:

The short answer is a lot of different people! The longer answer is that I was lucky to be inspired by my science teachers at school and lots of lecturers at university. My family have always encouraged me to achieve my dreams. My colleagues have helped me with my experiments. Without so many fantastic people around me I definitely wouldn’t have got to where I am.

Paige Chandler answered on 2 Mar 2020:

I had amazing science teachers at school, who encouraged me both in and outside of the classroom. They recommended books, gave me extra materials, and let me stay after school to talk about science together. I owe a lot of my successes to those teachers.

Amadou Camara answered on 3 Mar 2020:

Along the way I was passonate to work as a nurse and help

Sarah Carter answered on 3 Mar 2020:

So, so many people. It took me a while to land in epidemiology (I studied psychology, anthropology, and forensic anthropology before getting my PhD and working as a Research Fellow), so it truly was everyone (teachers, friends, family, professors at university) who encouraged me to follow my interests and stick with them, even when it was hard to see where I’d end up.

Lotte de Winde answered on 3 Mar 2020:

First and foremost my parents, who have always let me make my own decisions, and supported me in every step of the way to where I am today. Secondly, my boyfriend, who is not a scientist and doesn’t really understand what I do, but he did quit his job in the Netherlands to move with me to the UK, when I got a postdoc position here, and even once brought me dinner when I had to work late in the lab. Thirdly, my good (science) friends, all the supervisors I had during my BSc and MSc internships, my PhD and now in my postdoc, and friendly scientists that I met in my work and now collaborate with. In science, but I guess in every profession, it is very important to have a supportive network around you with people you can trust and ask for advice. These people don’t necessarily have to be senior people or only people within your profession, your colleague or best friend can be a mentor for you too!

M S answered on 3 Mar 2020:

I knew I liked biology and that was because of how cool it was to me. For me I think being in class with my friends made it interesting! My teachers were also a great help but I wasnt 100% sure on a career until 2nd year of uni! So yeah a lot of people choose what they love and then pick a career

Nazia Ahmed answered on 3 Mar 2020:

My dad helped me a lot, I get frustrated easily if I don’t understand something, he always took the time to talk through it with me and teach me.
I had some amazing teachers and I have also made a lot fo friends along the way who I reach out to whenever I am stuck or need to bounce ideas off someone. I also have a great research group and supervisor who is always very supportive!

Toby Candler answered on 3 Mar 2020:

You need people to encourage you and guide you, remember this as you go along as it will be you encouraging and guiding people in the future.
For me it was my school science teachers, my mum( even though she is not a scientist but a social worker) and lecturers and doctors since I left university.
Dont worry about those who are not encouraging or helpful they may have had a bad day or finding things hard themselves! Try to focus on those that help you and get you interested!

Kate Mitchell answered on 3 Mar 2020:

I was really inspired by my high school science teacher, and by my lecturers at university. My parents and family have been really supportive, I had a great tutor on my Masters degree who was and still is a great help, and the people I studied with on my masters and PhD were very encouraging!

Sophie Arthur answered on 4 Mar 2020:

When I was doing my PhD I got to a point where I was really down and struggling. I then was inspired to start sharing my journey and my science on social media and I met a load of incredibly inspiring women who were also studying for their PhD around the world. They helped get me through the rest of my PhD by helping me realise that I wasn’t alone. But also my husband has always been by my side and helping through the good and bad days of doing research. Mainly by buying me lots of chocolate 😛

Nuru Noor answered on 5 Mar 2020:

Great question 👍 Because it is really important to have people who help and encourage you to develop in any career, but especially in medicine and science.

I have been really lucky that outside of work my mum and dad have always been super supportive 👩👨

Whilst working as a doctor, one of my first supervisors in a hospital really encouraged me and supported me to get involved in research. So I’ll always be really grateful to him for the support and encouragement. ☑️

Question: Who helped u you along the way of your journey to be a scientist?

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