How to become a good scientist

Demand for advanced researchers is growing in all main fields of knowledge. Particularly strong growth is noticed in life sciences such as biotechnology, pharmaceutics and medicine. Scientific research relies on researchers with broad educational preparation. For many research and engineering professions, a bachelor's and master's degrees constitute the minimum educational requirement. For senior researchers PhD degree is almost always essential and therefore these scientists must satisfy the requirements for PhD degree. Training in scienceConstant training is needed for researchers to go abreast with modern scientific developments in their areas. It may be training in the frames of current activity or formal training. Training presupposes participation in conferences and meetings of professional societies. Researchers who do not follow modern trends in their fields and related disciplines risk experiencing problems with current or future jobs. However, for those scientists and engineers who are up to date, general prospects of growth and development are favorable. Experts also attract attention to competition for funding in the fields of theoretic and applied research.The role of technicians in scienceHolders of bachelor's degree often begin their activity as technicians. They may also advance to become researchers and obtain additional education. Technicians start their activity under supervision of a scientist, engineer, or senior technician and then advance to work with more independence. Training for technicians allows learning of the newest equipments and methods. Technical positions open the doors to creative work, design, and new high level technologies. Technicians may also perform supervising activities in a laboratories and workshops.What is needed to be a scientist?Many workers in the science industry have bachelor's degree or graduate degrees. Advanced researchers must meet the requirements for PhD degree. Scientists with doctorate degrees work as researchers and conduct research projects enjoying a reasonable level of freedom. Scientists and engineers design, carry out, and interpret experiments and studies. Researchers attend conferences and read specialized journals to be up to date in their fields. Considerable job demand is for computer specialists and researchers in life and medical sciences. Researchers in biology may successfully work in quickly developing areas of biotechnology and pharmaceutics. Work opportunities in scienceSome fields of knowledge, such as basic research, presuppose particular requirements for PhD degree even for starting research positions. In general, prospects of development and growth for scientists and engineers are beneficial. Creative approach is of the utmost importance in science because researchers engaged in the field must constantly offer new research designs. For experienced and skilled scientists it is also important to be informed about current scientific developments and get a feel for changes in technologies that may swing interests and employment possibilities to new areas of research. Gaining experience in particular fields, scientists may move forward to senior research positions and even become managers. With career advancement, researchers may run larger projects and guarantee accomplishing of the planned goals. Freelance employment is rare in science; however, there are opportunities to found small companies. Freelance opportunities prevail in rapidly developing fields. Self-employed researchers usually have high level degrees and working experience in academia or other research institutions. These scientists form companies to promote commercial products appearing owing to previous theoretic and applied research.