| The number of scientists in the U.S. was over 750,000 | | | | From there, a good place to contact is the National |
| as of 2008. In a nation of over 300 million, that number | | | | Science Foundation. Google their website and you will |
| is incredibly small. That's why the federal government | | | | find a treasure trove of information about the various |
| started the STEM (for scientist, technologist, engineer | | | | specialties, including professional organizations, top |
| and math) Program with the National Foundation of | | | | schools (both on campus and online colleges), |
| Science at the beginning of the 21st Century. As with | | | | availability for financial aid, and even contact with pros |
| almost every other field, courses can be taken at both | | | | in the field. Start doing research, a discipline you'll need |
| on campus and online schools. | | | | for the rest of your life, about your interests then and |
| The fact is that while the number of scientists is small, | | | | there. |
| their effect is enormous. Without them, the | | | | Now it's time to get in touch with schools. Don't be shy |
| technological innovations that have prolonged life, made | | | | about any special projects or commendations you've |
| traveling and communicating around the world, even | | | | received. Make sure to see a financial aid officer, along |
| help grow the food we eat, would be incredibly more | | | | with the registrars. Initially scout out about a dozen |
| difficult. Admittedly, entering the field is difficult. Top | | | | schools, with the goal of eventually narrowing it down |
| flight schools such as MIT or Cal Tech actually brag | | | | to three. See who offers the best deal. |
| that the number of students who graduate from their | | | | If you do your homework, the payoff can be |
| hallowed halls is barely 25%. That doesn't mean there | | | | tremendous. For example, the BLS reports the |
| aren't outside forces out there to make acquiring that | | | | average computer scientist, a truly high demand field, |
| goal as easy as possible. | | | | pulls an average salary of over $80,000 a year. This |
| The first thing a budding scientist must consider is just | | | | package also usually also comes with incredible perks, |
| what branch of the field he or she is interested in. The | | | | such as insurance, expense accounts, incredibly |
| field is incredibly diverse, with not only the typecast | | | | advancement possibilities and financial and retirement |
| astrophysicists and nuclear specialists. They include | | | | plans. |
| specialties as diverse as agriculture, computers, social | | | | They also usually come with packages for continuing |
| and veterinary. No matter what, a strong head for | | | | one's education. The truth is that the number of |
| mathematics is an absolute must. So are such basic | | | | scientists with Master degrees or PhDs are much |
| sciences as chemistry, physics and biology. At the | | | | higher than most professions, and institutions who hire |
| same time, scientists must have the ability to both sit | | | | them are more than willing to help pay for this |
| alone and theorize, but still be able to communicate | | | | continued education. |
| effectively as part of a team. | | | | |