How To Become A Scientist: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Become a Scientist PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Fact Checked

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  • Setting the Groundwork
    • |
  • Getting a Higher Education
    • |
  • Having the Mindset
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
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  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings
|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA. Bess Ruff is a Scientist based in Sydney, Australia. Her research interests and previous scientific experience include environmental science, geography, biotechnology, mariculture, marine spatial planning, stakeholder engagement, and spatial ecology. She is a Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Sydney and a Project Manager at Offshore Biotechnologies. Prior to her work in Sydney, Bess was a Postdoctoral Researcher for over 2 years at Florida State University. She received a PhD in Geography from Florida State University, with a doctoral dissertation entitled "Culturing a Sustainable Seafood Future: How Governance, Economics, and Society Are Driving the Global Marine Aquaculture Industry”. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 755,580 times.

Since the sciences have many fields, there are many career paths for budding scientists, depending on what you enjoy most. For example, if you love zoology, you might become a wildlife scientist who studies animal behavior, while a chemistry whiz might decide to be a chemist whose research might cure disease. Whether you hope to work in a lab one day, want to conduct field research, or plan to teach the sciences, becoming a scientist can provide rewarding, exciting work experiences. You can set a path for your career by focusing on your education and looking at the world as a scientist.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Setting the Groundwork

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  1. Step 1 Take the necessary preparatory classes in high school. 1 Take the necessary preparatory classes in high school. Starting in high school, and continuing into your undergraduate years in college, you should take classes that teach you the analytical and critical thinking skills you will need to be a scientist. This is a must to get a leg up later in life.[1]
    • You'll need to be well-specialized in mathematics. Scientists in the physical sciences use a great deal of mathematics, particularly algebra, calculus, and analytical geometry, while those in the biological sciences use math less often. All scientists need a working knowledge of statistics, too.[2]
    • Consider going to science camp during high school. You'll do more intensive projects than you do in your regular science classes in school.
  2. Step 2 Start out with the basics in college. 2 Start out with the basics in college. While you will specialize in a particular discipline later, you'll need to take basic courses in biology, chemistry, and physics to ground you in the basics of each science, as well as the scientific method of observing, making hypotheses, and experimenting. You can also select elective courses based on areas of interest or to discover new areas of interest to help you define your specialty. In a year or two, you can commit to a more specific branch of science.[3]
    • Skills in 1 or 2 foreign languages may be helpful as well. This allows you to read older scientific papers that haven't been translated into English. Additionally, being multilingual will enable you to collaborate with other scientists from across the world, as well as help you pursue research opportunities in other countries. The most helpful languages to learn include French, German and Russian.
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  3. Step 3 Declare a major in a field that intrigues you. 3 Declare a major in a field that intrigues you. After you’ve gotten your feet wet and you’re familiar with the directions this career could take you, declare a major in a more specific branch of science. Planetary? Medical? Psychological? Geneticist? Agricultural?[4]
    • If you'd like or if your college's lack of options necessitates it, you can wait to declare something more specific later (aka grad school). A general major like chemistry is fine, too.
  4. Step 4 Get an internship in college. 4 Get an internship in college. It's best to start making connections and doing work as soon as possible. Contact one of your professors about an internship – you may be able to get your name associated with a paper your team publishes, too.[5]
    • This will get you applied lab experience, which is going to be helpful for going to grad school and looking for jobs once you graduate. It shows you've been taking college seriously and have a grip on what's expected of you.
    • If you want to be a field researcher, pursue an internship with an environmental organization, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  5. Step 5 Hone your writing skills. 5 Hone your writing skills. You'll also need to write well as a scientist, both to obtain grants for your research and to publish your results in scientific journals. Classes in English in high school and technical writing in college will help you polish your skills.
    • Read scientific journals and keep up with the field. You'll be in those journals yourself, in time. Look to their work for structure and the basics of a good scientific paper.
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Getting a Higher Education

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  1. Step 1 Go to graduate school. 1 Go to graduate school. While some commercial and industrial positions are available to college graduates with a bachelor's degree, most scientists have at least a master's and more likely a doctorate. Graduate programs are geared more toward original research and development of new theories, working with a professor or other scientists, and possibly using cutting-edge technology. Most graduate programs take at least 4 years, and possibly longer, depending on the nature of the research.[6]
    • At this time, you'll have to declare a specialty – something that greatly narrows down the field and allows you to have a concentration. This will make your work more unique and your field of competition smaller.
  2. Step 2 Land a research internship just about anywhere. 2 Land a research internship just about anywhere. In grad school, you'll need to look for a research internship for your specific area of interest. The number of professors that are working on something that speaks to you is going to be quite small – which means you'll likely have to go elsewhere to find it.[7]
    • Your professors and your school, in general, will be very helpful tools in finding which internships exist and where. Tap into all the connections you've made to find something that fits you like a glove.
  3. Step 3 Participate in a post-doctoral program. 3 Participate in a post-doctoral program. Post-doctoral programs provide additional training in whatever specialty you've chosen as a scientist. Originally lasting 2 years, these programs now usually last at least 4 years and possibly longer, depending on the field of study and other factors.[8]
    • In addition to this, you'll be doing 3 or so years of post-doctorate research after this. It's common for scientists to go through 4 years of undergrad, around 5 years of higher education, and 3 years of research, which means it'll be a solid 12 years of training. After you complete your undergraduate education, you'll likely be given a stipend or paycheck as you work through the remainder of your training.
  4. Step 4 Keep your knowledge up-to-date. 4 Keep your knowledge up-to-date. During your decade and more of education (and your career), it's wise to keep up-to-date in your field and related others by attending conferences and reading peer-reviewed journals. Science is constantly changing – in the blink of an eye, you could be left behind.[9]
    • In smaller fields (and some larger ones), you'll get to know all the names in these journals. Reading them will let you know who you should ask for research help or favors when the time comes.
  5. Step 5 Continue researching and seek out full-time employment. 5 Continue researching and seek out full-time employment. Scientists are always working on some project or idea. Regardless of how far up the career ladder you are, this is a given. But after your post-doctoral research, you'll likely need a job. Here are a few of the basic opportunities you'll find:
    • A science teacher. This one is pretty self-explanatory and doesn't always require upper education (depending on the level you want to teach). In some areas and fields, you'll need education credits, too.
    • A clinical research scientist. Many scientists work with a major company or the government. To start out, you’d be a clinical research associate. You would work on clinical trials, of say, emerging medications. You would gather data and monitor procedures making sure everything is up to protocol. Then, you get to perform analyses on whatever project you’re currently working on, developing products (like vaccines), or sometimes even working with patients, physicians, or technicians about laboratory procedures.
    • A professor. Many scientists, at least eventually, have the goal of becoming a professor and getting tenure. It's a well-paying gig with job security and you get to affect the lives of many. However, do know that it can take decades to get here.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Having the Mindset

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  1. Step 1 Be curious. 1 Be curious. Scientists choose to become scientists because they are fundamentally curious about the world around them and how the things in it work. This curiosity leads them to investigate the how and why behind what they see, even if the investigation takes years to come to fruition.[10]
    • Coupled with curiosity is an ability to reject preconceived notions and be open to new ideas. Frequently, an early hypothesis is not borne out by the evidence of later observations and experiments and must be modified or discarded.
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    There's always more you can learn. Ignite your curiosity by exploring new subjects you've never encountered before. Delve into a new online course or workshop. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy offer a vast library of courses.

  2. Step 2 Be patient in climbing the career ladder. 2 Be patient in climbing the career ladder. As briefly discussed above, becoming a scientist takes a long time. There are very few careers that take longer than this one. Even when you're finished with your education, you still have to get research under your belt. If you're an instant-gratification type of person, this may not be the gig for you.[11]
    • Some jobs only require a bachelor's, while others may require a master's or even a doctorate. If you're not in a place where you can spend a decade making a lower income, this could be a viable alternative.
  3. Step 3 Be diligent and persevere because you’ve landed a tough gig. 3 Be diligent and persevere because you’ve landed a tough gig. It's been said that "taking IQ into account, quantitative skills, and working hours, jobs in science are the lowest paid in the US." What this is getting at is that because of the long path to success, for a while you won't be living lavishly. Things are going to be tough for a while.
    • You'll also be meeting deadlines, often not determining your own hours, and working whenever your work says you need to. All of this combined makes it a difficult job, especially to stick with.
  4. Step 4 Have the need to always keep learning. 4 Have the need to always keep learning. Essentially what every scientist does is seek out knowledge. Whether it's reading peer-reviewed journals, attending seminars, or working toward getting yourself published, you'll always be learning. Does this sound like a normal Tuesday? Then you're probably made of the right stuff.
  5. Step 5 Be patient, observant, and think outside of the box. 5 Be patient, observant, and think outside of the box. No scientist's work is done in a day, a week, a month, and often even in a year. In many cases, like clinical trials for example, you won't get results for years. This can be very dissatisfying. A good scientist needs to be patient.[12]
    • Observation skills are also necessary. In those years of waiting for results, you need to constantly be looking for the smallest changes in what you expect to see. Your eye needs to be focused and ready at all times.
    • And as for thinking outside of the box, think back to Newton's apple falling on his head or Archimedes jumping into his tub and displacing water. Most people would think nothing of these events, but these men saw something else, something no one else was seeing at the time. To make strides in human knowledge, you have to think differently.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question How hard is it to become a scientist? Community Answer Community Answer It depends on the particular path you choose and how well you excel in that field. For some, science is incredibly difficult, so becoming a scientist would also be difficult. Science comes naturally to other people, so it wouldn't be as difficult for them. However, science is complicated regardless of the field, so you will inevitably find it challenging no matter what. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 33 Helpful 225
  • Question I'm a beginner. What books should I be reading? Community Answer Community Answer You should read anything about science that you can get your hands on -- textbooks, science websites, topical science books, etc. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 55 Helpful 375
  • Question What courses should I take to become a scientist? Community Answer Community Answer To become a scientist, you must at least take physical science, mathematics and biology. Mathematics are very important in science, especially calculus and algebra. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 53 Helpful 348
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Tips

  • The ACRP offers three certificates to clinical research professionals: the Certified Clinical Research Associate, Certified Clinical Research Coordinator, and Principal Investigator. You take an exam and you’re good to go. Thanks Helpful 11 Not Helpful 5
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Warnings

  • Being a scientist typically requires lots of patience. There are equal chances of failure as that of success, hence you should be ready to accept the results as they come. Thanks Helpful 249 Not Helpful 45
  • Due to the larger number of Ph.D. candidates for the professorship and commercial positions, prospective scientists may find themselves having to take a series of postdoctoral positions before landing a permanent position. Thanks Helpful 25 Not Helpful 3
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References

  1. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-scientist
  2. ↑ https://undsci.berkeley.edu/the-science-checklist-applied-mathematics/
  3. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-scientist
  4. ↑ https://askdruniverse.wsu.edu/2022/12/22/long-train-become-scientist/
  5. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-scientist
  6. ↑ https://www.science.org/content/article/secrets-thriving-graduate-school
  7. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-scientist
  8. ↑ https://www.americanscientist.org/article/postdoc-mentorship-can-launch-careers
  9. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_makes_a_good_scientist
More References (3)
  1. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_makes_a_good_scientist
  2. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_makes_a_good_scientist
  3. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what_makes_a_good_scientist

About This Article

Bess Ruff, MA Co-authored by: Bess Ruff, MA Environmental Scientist This article was co-authored by Bess Ruff, MA. Bess Ruff is a Scientist based in Sydney, Australia. Her research interests and previous scientific experience include environmental science, geography, biotechnology, mariculture, marine spatial planning, stakeholder engagement, and spatial ecology. She is a Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Sydney and a Project Manager at Offshore Biotechnologies. Prior to her work in Sydney, Bess was a Postdoctoral Researcher for over 2 years at Florida State University. She received a PhD in Geography from Florida State University, with a doctoral dissertation entitled "Culturing a Sustainable Seafood Future: How Governance, Economics, and Society Are Driving the Global Marine Aquaculture Industry”. She received her MA in Environmental Science and Management from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2016. She has conducted survey work for marine spatial planning projects in the Caribbean and provided research support as a graduate fellow for the Sustainable Fisheries Group. This article has been viewed 755,580 times. 555 votes - 87% Co-authors: 41 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 755,580 Categories: Science | Science Careers Article SummaryX

Start your journey to becoming a scientist by taking science classes in high school and college. Register for general courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math, and study hard for your classes to ensure that you learn the foundational information for your future career. Then, focus your studies on the discipline that interests you most, and get hands-on experience in the field by taking an internship. After graduation, look for full-time work as a scientist or go to graduate school to continue your studies. For more tips, including how to think like a scientist, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Bess Ruff, MA Co-authored by: Bess Ruff, MA Environmental Scientist Co-authors: 41 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 755,580 87% of readers found this article helpful. 555 votes - 87% Click a star to add your vote Anonymous

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