• Question: I would like to be an author, but I would also love to be a forensic anthropologist or astrophysicist. If my sights were fully set on being an anthropologist/astrophysicist, what kind of skills would I need for such a monumental job? Please reply soon. Thank you, Zain

    Asked by zain97 to Adam, Geoff, Rob, Sheila, Suzie on 23 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Robert Simpson

      Robert Simpson answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      You could be an author and one of those (if you try really hard who could be all three!). I would study maths and physics for starters, and maybe sociology and another anthropology-related topic. I would try and find some work experience in both those areas if you can (most uni departments take work experience students – ours does) to help you figure it out.

    • Photo: Adam Tuff

      Adam Tuff answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      Hi Zain! An interesting question – the first thing you need, and I think you already have is passion for the subjects – if you actually enjoy these subjects, it’s so much easier to learn them! You’d be surprised by how similar the set of skills you would need for these jobs would be, so you could start learning skills, and not have to choose for years. Definitely learn your core sciences of physics, chemistry and biology. Mathematics is also very useful in science across all the subjects. Read as many current magazines as possibile – a few good ones are “New Scientist” and “Scientific American” – neither are overly complicated, but they are written for scientists who might not be experts on the subjects – you can get a really good idea about what research is being done right now from them.
      Carry those subjects on to A-level, and do your best in your exams.
      Being an author…now that’s something I would like to do eventually! English skills are essential here, but also language – what I mean by this is get used to using words that people will understand – some science comes off as extremely complicated because of all of the wording and terms used; with books you want to appeal to as many people as possible! Read books that are something like the book you would want to publish – get ideas, look at how they are presented!
      Finally – never think it is something you can’t do – two of my colleagues have already published books (one is a science book, one is a science fiction story); you can do it if you know you can!
      Good luck with your future learning – who knows, if you become an astrophysicist we might work together at some point!

    • Photo: Suzie Sheehy

      Suzie Sheehy answered on 23 Mar 2011:

      Hi there, great question Zain. I definitely wouldn’t rule out that you could do both in your career! I know lots of scientists who are authors (usually about their work), but I know some others who write fiction or even about other things!

      I think being a good writer will help you a lot in a science career, as it’s really important to communicate well. But other than that, the kinds of skills you’ll need are good problem solving skills, a bit of patience (!) and you’d also probably have to stick with studying science in school. I’m not sure about anthropology but astrophysics nowdays also involves a lot of computing, so some computer skills would come in handy, but you can pick them up along the way.

      The most important thing you need though is to be interested, and to enjoy learning about it!

    • Photo: Sheila Kanani

      Sheila Kanani answered on 23 Mar 2011:

      I’m not sure about the anthropology route but I was ‘classically’ trained as an astrophysicist so I can help with that one.

      I did GCSEs, A levels, took a few gap years, at uni I did Physics with Astrophysics then started my PhD in 2007.

      Skills wise you need determination, attention to detail, love of science, an eye for the data, an understanding of maths and computers….

      Also if you can get some work experience at labs or in industry as that looks great on the CV. And go to Space School UK!

      Also, you can be an author too! Write for science magazines, newspapers or write books on the side. I know plenty of people who have done that!

Comments

  • Photo: zain97

    zain97 commented on :

    Thank you to all of you who answered. These answers have really boosted my confidence levels in the world of science. Hopefully these answers can be somewhat of a stepping stone towards choosing the right career pathway.

    Much Obliged,
    Zain