While growing up, we often read about scientists and researchers who make magical things in their laboratories. Children’s books and flashcards are full of stories about how curiosity and science make things happen. However, when it comes down to choosing a real-life career, it may not seem practical.
Let’s get honest. Scientists are few and far between; you need a certain temperament to enjoy reading and pursue a subject for hours. Researchers can also lead somewhat dry lives with paperwork and documents that all seem the same. So, does that mean no practical options exist for curious souls who wish to pursue science – perhaps a more animated version?
Here are three fantastic routes you can explore that blend curiosity and science with a practical career plan.
#1 Applied Research Scientist
Core skills: Chemistry, eagerness to solve real-world problems
Many teenagers interested in science tend to back away when they feel the subject becomes too bookish. Horizon, an EU-based research magazine, puts it very well: students must learn about science in real-world settings.
An applied research scientist is an intriguing career choice for those who love solving problems using science. The American Chemical Society highlights that this field is practical – not just sticking to what’s outlined in books. It requires you to formulate products and solutions that meet a specific purpose.
Your average day will include conducting experiments with different materials to understand if they address the current issue. For example, PFAS are a persistent challenge due to their tendency to linger and cause serious health concerns.
Unfortunately, they are everywhere, even in firefighting foam like AFFF. In fact, the AFFF lawsuit intends to bring justice to affected firefighters and their families. If you become an applied research scientist, you can help formulate alternatives like fluorine-based foam.
TorHoerman Law notes that proactive action can help affected people enjoy a better quality of life. Likewise, you can bring a proactive change as part of the scientific community.
#2 Food and Flavor Chemist
Core skills: Chemistry, sensory perception
What’s one thing that makes people curious everywhere – salivating and anticipating? Well, good old food is essential. It is also a source of continued delight in a stressful life. A food and flavor chemist is an enthralling career for anyone interested in these responses.
Imagine a job where you can figure out how to make your favorite beverage taste better, not just sweeter. You can formulate a more nutritious pack of crackers. You will have tasting notebooks to document a delicious journey through flavors and aromas – intending to improve taste and nutrition.
As a career, this field will appeal to those who appreciate chemistry and enjoy its influences on foods and drinks. It is a real-world view of perceiving chemical bonds and reactions. They spring out from the school textbook into your workspace.
For instance, Down to Earth discusses how decaffeinated coffee can be tricky to create. Not everyone wants to drink caffeine. Moreover, pregnant women must regulate the amount consumed every day. Decaf coffee is a good compromise: it lets you experience the unmatched taste of java without the caffeine. As a food chemist, you can apply high-pressure carbon dioxide to remove caffeine from moistened beans.
This career has immense scope for product development and improvement. You can get a headstart by seeking internship positions in research laboratories.
#3 Marine Biologist
Core skills: Biology, an adventurous spirit
Why restrict your curiosity to the world above water? The oceans are full of life: flora and fauna with fascinating habits. A career as a marine biologist can be ideal for anyone who feels captivated by water and its closely held secrets.
According to the World Economic Forum, the need to protect marine environments intensifies as global warming grips us tighter. More coral reefs are dying out, with incidents of bleaching reported worldwide. The oceans also suffer from pollution due to suboptimal management of industrial effluents.
Marine biologists can actively mitigate these threats to the earth’s water bodies. Your typical day will involve observing life forms in water and gathering samples. You may sometimes work in an office but also be required to go out to the field for experiments. Yes, that may require snorkeling and scuba diving!
The pace of the world can be overwhelming at times – we live in a turbulent, volatile era that does not seem to pause for breath. On the sunny side, this scenario has opened new career trajectories that didn’t exist before. Unlike the previous education system that put students in silos of art and science, the modern approach believes in blending.
It is possible to be a scientific visualizer or an artistic experimenter. All it requires is the willingness to follow your heart – and discuss your options with parents and others who can support you in this journey!
