Careers in science outside of being a professor at a University?

[Tampitump]

Where are some areas where one can work as a scientist as their profession that is outside of the typical tenured professorship at a research university?

 

One thing I've been interested in is working for something like a matural history museum or something of that nature. What would a scientist do there if one were to he employed there?

 

What are some other options for scientists who want to do science for a living that is outside of being a professor at a university?

[swansont]

You can do research at government labs and in industry. I have physics friends who became lawyers (for patent law, science is a good background)

[ajb]

Depending on the subject, people do work for, say, pharmaceutical, chemical and energy sectors in a research role. Many people with physics and mathematics degrees work in engineering (across all areas) as well as finance and banking - some of this can be research.

[John Cuthber]

Very few scientists go on to become professors or lecturers.

 

Imagine a university science dept. It takes on say a thousand students each year and they end up being scientists (at least by one definition- they studied science at uni).

But each year that same department only takes on a few new profs and teachers.

So there must be a ratio of about a thousand to a few Scientists to profs.

The others must all go on to something else, though that something might not be science.

[swansont]

Very few scientists go on to become professors or lecturers.

 

Imagine a university science dept. It takes on say a thousand students each year and they end up being scientists (at least by one definition- they studied science at uni).

But each year that same department only takes on a few new profs and teachers.

So there must be a ratio of about a thousand to a few Scientists to profs.

 

The others must all go on to something else, though that something might not be science.

 

 

And it's true even if you limit it to a graduate degree. A typical university science professor might graduate a dozen or more students during their career. Even accounting for half of professors not being at schools with grad students, that still leaves many more scientists than the professor's replacement. A lot of stories about science degrees imply that academia is the typical destination, and it's not. Unfortunately the situation is often framed as these other careers being a failure of some sort.

[ajb]

A lot of stories about science degrees imply that academia is the typical destination, and it's not.

Exactly, the vast majority of science graduates have to move into other things and a tiny tiny minority make it to professor (and similar).

 

Unfortunately the situation is often framed as these other careers being a failure of some sort.

Each person has reach their own conclusion on this.

Edited September 25, 2016 by ajb

[Elite Engineer]

I do research for a diagnostics company. (BS in Biotechnology).

[CharonY]

There is a difference between a career in scientific research and a career with a science degree. Typically the latter is very varied, ranging from sales, to technical positions, product management, consulting and so on. As others have said, the former is fairly limited in job prospects.

[Tampitump]

I will probably never finish my undergraduate degree. The courses and material are just gradually getting too difficult for my small brain.

[Mordred]

I will probably never finish my undergraduate degree. The courses and material are just gradually getting too difficult for my small brain.

Don't give up. Study hint: study in as relaxed environment as possible. Step back when you get stumped. Often things click when your not stressing the problem.

[CharonY]

Also trying to discuss/review with other students may help. By explaining things to each other sometimes tricky bits "click" at some point.

[Tampitump]

Also trying to discuss/review with other students may help. By explaining things to each other sometimes tricky bits "click" at some point.

Desire, motivation, and interest are waning significantly at this point. Material is getting too hard. Edited October 3, 2016 by Tampitump