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This chapter introduces the roles of a scientist and the significance of thoughtfully preparing for those roles. The section also discusses the authors’ inspiration for writing this book and some of their core guiding values. Principal is our philosophy of paying it forward – passing on the many things one learns from various mentors and teachers or from personal experience to the next generation. Integral to competency in the field is also a healthy amount of curiosity and skepticism. It is important to always seek out diverse perspectives and advice, to continue learning and teaching oneself, and to study and learn from doing or seeing things done wrong. Herein the authors present a compilation of insights that they wish they knew earlier.

Pages: 5

Science is rooted in early civilizations, such as Egypt and Mesopotamia around the 30th to 12th centuries BCE. These societies established the foundation of current mathematics and astronomy and built the pillars for later Greek natural philosophy of classical antiquity (12th to 1st century BCE), which aimed to explain world events using natural causes. After the summit of Greek science, Roman contributions to science were very limited – mainly philosophical and not experimental – in the 1st to 5th centuries CE. The Middle Ages (the medieval era, or the Dark Ages, in the 5th to 16th centuries CE) that followed Roman culture represent a period of poor advancement in sciences, as many novel ideas were discredited by the Catholic Church, and experimentation and progress were rarely encouraged. The Islamic golden age in the 8th to 13th centuries CE represented a flourishing of the Islamic world, which became a major intellectual center for science, philosophy, and medicine. All these early discoveries and explorations by various cultures and civilizations paved the way for the major scientific revolution of the 16th to 17th centuries CE and laid the foundations for the Age of Enlightenment in the 18th century, prioritizing logic and emphasizing the scientific method. Moving into the 19th century with the post-scientific revolution, science was increasingly emphasized in schools, and science became a more mainstream profession. William Whewell replaced the older term “natural philosopher” with “scientist” in 1833. Science advanced dramatically during the 20th century, building on progress from previous centuries. This chapter focuses on some of the most significant landmarks in the history of science.

Pages: 5

Science is a systematic and logical study of how the universe works. Science enables us to explain natural phenomena and discover new facts about our world. It drives the development of new technologies that revolutionize the way we live (e.g., medical equipment and procedures, mobile phones, autonomous cars, etc.). Science also helps us solve global challenges (e.g., climate change, pandemics, and food shortages). Science education encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are valuable in all areas of life. This chapter briefly summarizes some of the most significant scientific contributions to society across disciplines.

Pages: 4

Often the alure of being a scientist can be accompanied by misconceptions about what daily responsibilities of this role may include. This chapter paints a picture for the reader of a day in the life of a scientist in the general sense. Both academic and non-academic settings are presented, although greater emphasis is directed toward the former. Generally, tasks are accomplished at least in part by teams and include surveying the primary literature, designing a study, planning experiments, conducting experiments, analyzing data, interpreting data, writing reports, multi-modality dissemination of knowledge, applying for funding, teaching, and networking at conferences. In examining these roles, the authors aim to illuminate the multi-faceted and interdisciplinary nature of being a scientist in order for the reader to determine whether or not this path might be a good fit for them.

Pages: 4

This chapter provides an overview of some of the core skillsets that the authors have found to be important for success as a scientific investigator. Key general competencies (curiosity, skepticism, asking questions, lifelong learning, teaching yourself, learning on the job, learning from others’ mistakes, taking initiative, forethought, and creativity), technical expertise (analytical skills, discovery science, applied science, computational skills, writing, and public speaking), educational and career practices (managing, celebrating accomplishments, and taking advantage of time off), and healthy coping skills (well-being, burnout, and growth mindset) are reviewed. Although not entirely comprehensive, the chapter reviews best approaches that scientists take to gain new knowledge, a core toolbox of investigation instruments, approaches for active management and career advancement, as well as methods of promoting one's well-being and growth. While the authors focus on application to science, many if not most of these skills are relevant beyond the field. Nevertheless, one might not otherwise realize how pertinent some of these proficiencies are to a high-functioning scientist. In order to become a successful scientist in any setting, one must cultivate a diverse set of competencies and maintain a growth mindset.

Pages: 8

The view that science and academia should be introduced to students at an early age has allowed recent years to see a boom in the amount of youths engaging in academic ventures. This chapter describes various components of early academic development, ranging from grade school years, to self-study, and early enrollment in college classes. In addition, this chapter discusses possible avenues of study that youths interested in science and academia may take. These components are supplemented by the author's own insights and experience.

Pages: 9

This chapter focuses on approaches to finding the right training program. The right training program will be different for each individual, and this section presents guidance on identifying the best fit based on one's interests, values, and priorities. This advice includes both considerations universal to training programs, as well as information specific to each level across the spectrum, ranging from undergraduate all the way through master's, doctorate, post-doctorate, and faculty development programs. Tips for networking, identifying opportunities, applying to programs, interviewing, and funding tuition are discussed as well. This can be used as a resource for key concepts whenever transitioning to the next stage in one's training.

Pages: 5

Traditionally, undergraduate education is characterized by a time of individualization, foundation building, and career setting. More recently, college and university experiences have come to offer vogue opportunities for social and intellectual exploration. The ideal undergraduate experience benefits from each of these approaches, carefully balanced to maximize both enjoyment and learning of foundational knowledge and tangible skills. Certain individuals will begin their journey with an inherent sense of direction or unwavering area of interest, while others will explore and engage in multiple domains before finding their passion. Regardless, a thoughtful design of the undergraduate experience makes use of institutional resources, coursework, teaching opportunities, research opportunities, and extracurricular activities. In this chapter, the authors review strategies to gain the most from each of these domains.

Pages: 2

A postbaccalaureate program is a continuing education program designed for individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree and are interested in pursuing an advanced graduate degree. They are useful for individuals who want to gain more experience in a field before deciding whether or what type of graduate degree to pursue, and they are also helpful for individuals who may be switching fields or need to gain more prerequisite experience in a certain field before applying to a formal graduate degree program in that field. This chapter reviews types of postbaccalaureate programs, the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing postbaccalaureate training, and when this step is most appropriate and beneficial in one's path.

Pages: 4

The Master of Science (MSc, or sometimes MS) is a degree conferred by universities in the fields of science (e.g., physics, chemistry, life sciences, mathematics, computer science, etc.), engineering (e.g., civil engineering, automotive engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, etc.), and medicine. Typically, the MSc involves a two-year program comprised of coursework, with or without research culminating in a thesis that demonstrates the student's ability to conduct independent research in their chosen field of study. MSc degrees are important because they allow students an opportunity to pivot fields, contribute to the scientific community, and prepare for successful training or careers in the future.

Pages: 9

The PhD is a unique opportunity to discover and contribute new knowledge. In order to be as successful as possible in this significant undertaking, it is important to approach the degree thoughtfully. We provide advice for finding and applying to PhD programs, choosing the right PhD program for you, starting the PhD, taking advantage of unique resources as a PhD student, and choosing a PhD advisor. We also discuss teaching and mentoring opportunities, how to give and receive feedback, approach to qualifying examinations, as well as navigating the dissertation thesis and defense. We consider best practices for navigating academic politics and academic manners, evaluating sources of scientific literature and their provenance, analyzing data and the appropriate use of statistics, laboratory safety, and laboratory practice sustainability. In addition, we consider planning ahead for positions following a successful PhD.

Pages: 8

This chapter covers the key ingredients for how to be an efficient and effective research scientist in the laboratory across fields of inquiry. Included in this presentation of “The Secret Sauce” is a concise discussion of the rationale for each ingredient and how to implement each lesson, as well as exemplary stories of success and failure. Ingredients range from the philosophical approach to scientific problem solving all the way to best practices in laboratory procedures. A common and critical theme focuses on the maximization of efficiency by effective project management. Early introduction to scientific research often teaches counterproductive practices, and the advanced student may need to then relearn more effective strategies to conduct the most efficient and effective scientific research. When instead adopted earlier in a scientist's journey, these tips and tricks can produce extraordinary benefit for those involved in research and can strengthen the impact of that research.

Pages: 4

Scientific research aims to answer questions by collecting, interpreting, and evaluating data to answer questions, solve problems, and enhance knowledge. Generally, the design of a research project refers to definition of the research question as well as the method of systematically obtaining and interpreting evidence in order to answer the question. The design science approach provides a suitable and comprehensive framework for identifying strategies to address the problem at hand. This chapter discusses how to define a research question, design a study to answer that question, incorporate funding, and package the study into an accessible story for dissemination.

Pages: 6

Two of the most important and challenging missions of a principal investigator (PI) are to publish papers and secure funding. Since it is almost impossible to conduct research and publish papers in reputable journals without external funding, financing projects is central to the research process. In most cases, a research budget is obtained through a competitive process. As funding is tight, competition is strong, and the grant rejection rate is high (approximately 80–90% of submitted applications), grants are becoming more and more competitive. Consequently, preparing an outstanding grant proposal is critical to the conduct of research, yet most researchers receive minimal or no formal training on the process of writing effective grant applications. Research grant preparation is a demanding process. It can be daunting, time-consuming, and resource intensive without a guarantee of success. This chapter discusses the significant components and considerations for a successful research proposal or grant application.

Pages: 7

Your scientific work will not be complete unless you have published and presented your research results in order to disseminate the findings. Despite the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, this chapter will guide you through the typical steps involved in sharing your discoveries. In spite of the differences between presenting your data at a conference and publishing a paper, the goals are essentially the same in both situations: a clear and accurate presentation of meaningful research findings to the scientific community and society. By participating in these activities, researchers have the opportunity to share their discoveries and add to or correct the existing body of knowledge. In addition, researchers can participate in scientific discourse and receive feedback about their research. Surprisingly, the communication of scientific findings by presentation and publication is rarely addressed formally in educational programs. This chapter discusses the importance of publishing and presenting scientific findings and best practices for the dissemination of research findings.

Pages: 4

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus shocked much of the world in 2020 and disrupted every sector. Some expected such a pandemic. Work was put on hold, effort was redirected, and careers were changed. Remote work became common place. Many fancied themselves virologists, despite lacking any formal training in this realm. While the world has made significant progress in mitigating challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, some expect another pandemic sooner rather than later. At some point, another pandemic is likely inevitable. Some will be more prepared than others. What's certain, though, is that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant and lasting impact on every industry, and science was no exception. Here, we discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the field of science early on as well as its lasting effects on the practice of science across all settings.

Pages: 5

Postdoctoral fellowships are temporary training positions in which individuals who have completed doctoral degrees receive mentored training to enhance their professional skills and build a foundation upon which to transition to independent principal investigatorship or another subsequent position. This chapter discusses the benefits as well as the challenges that come with a postdoctoral position. Several strategies can be employed to maximize the gains from this critical period in academic career development. The skills and experience acquired as a postdoc can be utilized in a wide variety of career fields, and we present some of the professions that postdoctoral graduates often pursue after their advanced studies.

Pages: 10

Many scientists strive for over a decade to prepare for their dream job of being an academic faculty member and principal investigator in order to lead an independent research program. The effort and years required to obtain academic faculty positions are worthy of tremendous congratulations. Having researched positions, prepared applications, practiced job and chalk talks, conducted interviews, traveled potentially around the world, negotiated offers, and finally decided on a specific job, things are even more hectic after signing the contract. When establishing a laboratory, it is important to practice careful planning and effective resource management and maintain a coherent research agenda. Other key considerations include developing a scientific niche, obtaining research funding, procuring and maintaining equipment, hiring and managing personnel, teaching and mentoring trainees, curating a lab group culture, interacting with departmental and institutional personalities, and publishing. The purpose of this chapter is to provide nascent principal investigators with a guide that covers these core areas.

Pages: 6

In this chapter, the author provides a unique window into his circuitous path through science and academia. Alternative approaches and surreptitious results led him to the present. His passion originated with a playful relationship with science as a child. Throughout, highly relevant fundamental lessons are illustrated with real-life examples and insightful commentary. Significant values include prioritizing education early, keeping notebooks, the elegance of naivete, maintaining curiosity, giving credit to mentors and teachers, perseverance, and taking a break to revisit challenges. Through the lens of this author's journey, the reader can enjoy a playful and elegant account of the author's relationship with science and learn valuable approaches to education and research.

Pages: 11

Milestones, crossroads, and decision points in one's career are exciting but can also represent stressors due to the repercussions and implications likely to be felt from making such a transformative decision. Thus, it is helpful to approach these situations systematically and with some understanding of the context. In this chapter, we set the stage and provide advice for navigating many of the common decision points faced in a scientific career. We discuss how to avoid common mistakes, when and how to switch advisors or projects, how to pivot to a new field or work environment, how to approach legal matters, and more. With a systematic approach and a basic understanding of the context and potential implications, it will be possible to navigate any of these common situations smoothly and to apply these principles to other junctures more broadly.

Pages: 9

In the United States, there are more female than male individuals trained as scientists and engineers. However, there are far fewer women than men in jobs classified as “science and engineering.” This chapter provides an overview of what led to this disparity, how trends vary from field to field, and strategies for helping women accomplish their professional goals. The discrepancy in the types of jobs filled by men and women in science and engineering illustrates the difficulties faced by anyone who feels they fall outside the expected background or culture in science. The factors that drive this disparity often apply to other minority groups as well as people with a significant difference compared to the prevailing culture in a field. The lessons learned in examining women in science are relevant to all of us and applicable to many underrepresented minorities in science and engineering. The efforts we can take to improve inclusion of women will also lead to more effective scientific and engineering.

Pages: 6

Science careers are dynamic, diverse, and encompass a wide range of disciplines and expertise. This allows for a variety of careers in and adjacent to science. Career paths of scientists are influenced by numerous factors, such as their research interests, their educational background, opportunities for advancement, and their personal preferences, so it is important to note that each scientist's career path is unique. Although there is no one blueprint for a career in science, it is important to note that there are common patterns and stages typical of a career in science. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the trajectories of common careers in science. We examine the different stages and transitions researchers usually go through during their careers. By gaining a better understanding of these trajectories, we will gain valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by scientists, as well as the diverse opportunities for success in science.

Pages: 2

The purpose of this book is to provide a valuable resource to those who are seeking a creative and research-oriented career in science and/or technology, ranging from academics to industry research and development, start-up businesses, non-profit organizations, and government. Career success can be achieved in many ways. Throughout the course of this book, we discussed a variety of topics, dilemmas, and challenges faced by young scientists as they embark on their careers. This book presents challenges and not guarantees and although broad is by no means entirely comprehensive. To achieve long-term success and satisfaction in a research career, you will have to develop and apply healthy habits over an extended period of time. We hope that this book has provided more encouragement than pause by preparing those interested in science. A career in science offers a wide range of opportunities for professional development, exploration, and the possibility of making a meaningful contribution to society.