Science As A Career Path

(Posted on Tuesday, January 26, 2021)

Science is more than an avenue to pursue your interests, inclinations, and ideas. Science is a stable and ever-present career path for those seeking fulfillment in their work. The opportunities that science opens as a career are almost endless. Take a moment to look around the room you are in. There may be a lamp, a plant, or a phone charger; Some study light, plants, and electricity. Any interest you may have can be explored with science.

You can take whatever direction you want. Many scientists choose to be narrow. Yes, you can be narrow and make a lot of progress and impact. But you don’t have to be. You can be very broad. Paleobotanists study ancient plants’ history and genealogy, whereas engineers can learn to make just about anything. The scope of your study is entirely up to you, and if you work hard enough and know enough, you may just make a career of your research.

At their core, scientists are just interested in the world around them, and they want to know more. Science is an innate part of existence. Certain things exist, and specific processes occur. Science is the ‘why’ behind those things and processes and the ‘why not’ behind that which doesn’t exist or occur.

In particular, medical science is a great avenue to explore if you want to change society for the better. For as long as civilization has existed, so too has ailments, diseases, and disabilities. Medical sciences aim to lessen or even eliminate that which harms life. If you are a promising medical scientist, you will have generous support from many people because we all want a healthier world.

Once you reach a certain level of prestige, you have increased access to resources, funding, and support. At that point, you can move beyond your role as a scientist and use your privilege and hard work to support many others. Start a nonprofit, invest in low-income communities or countries, and continue to engage your will to make the world a better place.

This blog is one in a series showcasing some of the stories that are included in my autobiography: My Lifelong Fight Against Disease. Available for purchase here.