I wrote a piece titled “A Scientist — One Year Into Making” about four years ago (link). It aged well, and the conclusions still hold, props to my younger self for that. But now, after four more years of studying, work, burnout and sheer joy of doing something I love, it’s time to revisit the topic. Context: I am a Materials Science major in the middle of masters degree. In my university everyone works in labs as researchers, so do I, since the freshman year. Here I’ll mostly expand on my points from the previous article.
It’s Difficult
Becoming a good scientist is a long journey. It requires a good understanding of the field you are in. Some practical skills specific to your work are required. Basic calculus and algebra are a must if you want to understand at least some theory behind the processes. Statistics and probability are important to process results. Knowledge of physics to understand analyses methods. Experiment design and the basics of the scientific method are always useful. And, of course, you will need to present your work and argue with colleagues, so communication is important.
These are the basic skills one would need to put together a research paper. Many fields will also require knowledge of thermodynamics or kinetics of processes, certain advanced physics and even programming skills. A good scientist combines skills of multiple people in one mind to grasp and examine mechanics of fundamental process. Usually for a humble paycheck. It is difficult, but the satisfaction from the results is worth it.
Good Supplies Make Work Easier
In the previous iteration of this article I wrote: “precision is a skill”. I worked in a lab where it was very important to make precise measurements. It was difficult, as I am not naturally good at this and there were many caveats and tricks. I had to learn a lot, but now I visited a few labs and made a conclusion. With better supplies and apparatus these thing are way easier. When choosing a lab, do not overlook the available equipment.
A good way to assess the work ethic is to look for labels. If there are no labels on drawers, shelves or glasses with solutions, any experiment will feel like a frantic nightmare. On the other hand, when there are labels everywhere, it will probably be a breeze. One walk around the room is all you need to gather all the supplies, no questions needed. And if there is an online catalogue of available chemicals – oh, sign me up.
You Should Not Be Alone
Scientific adviser is there for a reason. It is their job to teach you, show you where things are and what to do and not to do. If they fail at this – try raising the concern, if this doesn’t help – ask for a different one. The amount of supervision required varies, but if it doesn’t feel adequate it is on you to voice the issue.
The best thing I ever had for my development as a scientist is a weekly seminar. Usually it is a meeting of all the unit staff (about 10-15 people) where everyone shares their successes and asks for help or ideas. These weekly meetings are borrowed from agile methodology and boost team’s work tremendously.
There are other ways of communicating both horizontally and vertically, e.g. through chats. If there are no channels of communication and no one knows what are others working on – it may not be a good place to work at. Good science is very rarely done alone.
It Is Just Work
Even with all the weird experiments, analyses and the unknown variables, the work of a scientist is a standard nine-to-five, close to what a programmer or accountant might experience. All the pros and cons of this lifestyle apply, except your peers are usually more educated and there is less management above you. Oh, and working from home is a luxury when your work requires mixing chemicals in a flask.
Read Books
Not just textbooks on your topics. Read poetry, philosophy, fiction, watch documentaries and dramas. Maybe write something every once in a while or get into a drawing class. It is very, very important to somehow balance the technical work and the amount of information you consume at work. Not doing it may result in burnout, workaholism and other unpleasant consequences.
This is especially true for those of us who love their work. It’s easy to get carried away and fill your life with work and only work, to the brink. And it’s very difficult to dial it back to normal. All scientists I know, and especially the excellent ones, have some gimmicks. So it’s important to exert a conscious effort to stay somewhat normal.
“The School” Is Important
The School is a group of professionals within a field, usually with similar background and common teachers or advisers, who form academic landscape in the field at some point in time. They publish papers, teach students, their names are usually known in the industry. Learning from these people is the best thing a scientist can do for their professional and personal growth. It provides insights, makes growth easier and unlocks useful connections to people in the field.
Finishing Up
I will return to these point in a few years, as I’ll start my PhD at that point. Some of my views will inevitably change, and that’s okay. Science is a lifelong pursuit, and an exciting one. These days I just hope I’ll live to tell the tale.