As a child, did your parents work you hard to be a scientist, and almost make a career for you by giving you tutors and

Sophie Langdon answered on 10 Mar 2022:

Neither of my parents are scientist and actually neither of them enjoyed science when they were in school so it was definitely a choice I made myself rather than my parents pushing me! As they didn’t work in science or understand how to get to work in research all the career choices and the opportunities I have had have been driven by me. My parents have always been very supportive of my career choice though and when I was in school they did pay for a couple tutoring sessions for my A level chemistry exams as I really struggled to get my head round stuff and was worried I was going to fail.

If you are wanting to peruse a career in science and your parents are not scientists don’t be put off! Most of the people I work with don’t come from families of scientists so it is definitely possible to do it yourself.

Alicia Jia answered on 10 Mar 2022:

My parents barely knew what subjects I was taking in school! None of my parents are in science so they don’t really understand what I do or what opportunities would help me be a better scientist. Of course they wanted me to be a doctor, and they wanted me to do well in school, but they never forced me to take extra classes or do extra work with tutors to try to make it happen. I do think that because I showed interest in science and was doing well by myself, they never had to force me to do any of those things but maybe they would have if I hadn’t done those things independently.

Gareth Nye answered on 10 Mar 2022:

My parents were really supportive of me but didn’t pressure me. They didn’t feel like tutors would help me learn and they trusted that my abilities would be enough to get me where I wanted to go. Neither my mum or dad went to university and both had to work long hours in jobs they didn’t enjoy.

The one bit of advice they gave me was work hard to get a job you love doing

Kerry Simmance answered on 10 Mar 2022:

When I was at school, my parents wanted me to succeed in all my subjects and definitely didn’t push me into any particular subject. I never had any tutors and had no opportunities to see what a science career would look like but my parents were very supportive in all my choices.

In actual fact most of my colleagues don’t come from a science background – so my advice to you would be to always pursue the subjects you have most interest in irrelevant as to whether you know someone working in that area.

Antonios Pouliopoulos answered on 10 Mar 2022:

I wouldn’t say my parents ever forced me to study. In fact, it was quite the opposite, they urged me to stop studying some times and do something different. I was quite a geek… I imaging that I wouldn’t have followed my career if someone forced me to, but we’ll never know!

Maria Whatton answered on 10 Mar 2022:

I found my own way into science. I was the first in my family to go to university and although I had encouragement from my parents to work hard a school, neither had a background in science, and I never had a tutor. I took each stage one at a time, and when I left secondary school I thought I might like to be a primary school teacher. I took A-level’s in Maths, Chemistry and Biology and did well, so my Chemistry teacher encouraged me to consider going to university. I never imagined at this stage I would go on to do a PhD, but I found I enjoyed my research projects.

Katie McGuire answered on 10 Mar 2022:

My parents didn’t push me to choose at all. It was all my choice and I didn’t make it until I was about 18.

Mary Clarke answered on 10 Mar 2022:

My parents did not direct any of my learning or career choices, they just wanted me to enjoy the subjects that interested me. I went to a comprehensive girls school and was never tutored, but quickly learnt that science interested me and so actively pushed myself to learn beyond just what we learning in school. I think if you have a keen interest in a particular subject, then that is what you should pursue. You want to enjoy the job / subject that you choose as a career.

Amy Worrall answered on 10 Mar 2022:

My parents certainly pushed me, but I don’t think that it was science specific. They just wanted me to be the best at whatever I chose to do- they still do! In school I was a bit of an overachiever so I’ve been expected to carry on being top of the class throughout my education- a bit tricky at PhD level where there are no grades or exams!

As for science, I sort of fell into it as it seemed like what I was meant to do- my career certainly wasn’t already planned! At GCSE I kept my options quite open, then at A level I narrowed down into science subjects as these seemed versatile. Looking back, I’m not sure all of my subjects were vital to my current path, but there are certainly some I wouldn’t change- maths for instance (great for loads of careers and degree subjects)!

Despite having built up my career path to where I am now, I still keep my options quite open by taking on opportunities outside my immediate job. My university has great internship resources where I’ve learned loads of new skills and I take on any voluntary roles/opportunities that I can to give me as many options as possible! I love science and want to stay in the field, but I don’t like to rule anything else out!

Shajahan Anver answered on 10 Mar 2022:

I wasn’t. I grew up “free range” if it is appropriate for human children. I never went to a personal tutor in my whole life and only went to large group tutoring only for A/Ls since we did not have good teachers at the school that I attended. My parents were strict in certain areas such as should be home by 6 pm, in bed by 9 pm, should be home for meals (specific times) etc. Other than that I have never been pushed until I pushed my self to achieve high after my GCSEs. May be I knew what I wanted and pushed myself harder to achieve it. If you have a dream, a smart plan (which may slightly chnage with time) and some hardwork then you can achieve what you want. Similarly it is important that you enjoy some sport, excercise, have friends, socialise, eat well to stay sane so that you will be persistent in achieving your goals

Rebecca Locke answered on 10 Mar 2022:

Neither of my parents are scientists and they still don’t really understand what I do! They were supportive but didn’t push me at school really and most of the time didn’t know what subjects I was taking, it was all down to me when it came down to choosing to study and I’ve never had a tutor.

I don’t think I realised how much I liked science until A-levels and afterwards, and before that I took lots of different subjects (including things like textiles and history). I think if there is something you are interested in, look around you for opportunities as there are always ways to get involved and make sure that you are pursuing a career that you enjoy.

Rebecca Davies answered on 10 Mar 2022:

For me, it was a bit of both. Science was my favourite subject at school and when I had to do work experience my mum offered to set me up in the research laboratory of the hospital she works in (as a secretary – she’s not in science herself). It was my choice though – I just thought it would be a good idea.

Strangely, I found the placement quite boring (I wasn’t old enough to do allowed to do anything at the time), but that experience gave me connections I used later on to come back and work in the laboratory. In the end I decided that once I could work in the laboratory I quite enjoyed it, and decided it would be my career.

anon answered on 10 Mar 2022: last edited 10 Mar 2022 4:19 pm

I fell in love with science when I had the privilege to visit the Galápagos Islands and the Amazonian rainforest in Ecuador. I was captivated by nature and wildlife. When left alone (no human intervention), nature maintains balance. I definitely owe this experience to my parents, as they made it possible for me to see these places when I was only 10 years old. But from that moment on, I knew I wanted to study biology.
Before going to uni, I seized every opportunity to “do science” in my local community. Some of them led to international trips. It was very rewarding. Those extracurricular activities reassured me that I definitely wanted to study biology.

Chigozie Onuba answered on 10 Mar 2022:

My parents always told me how important education is and to pursue a career in subjects that I did well in. So it was natural for me to go into science as I did well in science subjects at school.

Elpida Vounzoulaki answered on 11 Mar 2022:

None of my parents are scientists, or anyone in my family circle. They were really supportive with my education though. I did well at school, but I also had loads of time to do music in the evenings which I really loved. I did piano and guitar lessons and I was in a band. My parents believed that it is important to balance studies with fun and I honestly believe this has helped me succeed more 🙂

Emily Clarke answered on 11 Mar 2022:

Never. When I was growing up my Mum always encouraged me to relax and take breaks! They have always been my biggest cheerleaders and would support me no matter what I wanted to do. I am the first in my family to get to university let alone do science. I have always pushed myself because I wanted to do it, and achieve the things I have, and having the passion because it is what you love is really important. I always said I wanted to do a job that made me happy and that I enjoyed, so it never felt like working to me.

Sara Luzzi answered on 12 Mar 2022:

My parents have always supported me to do whatever I wanted to do.
Of course they pushed me to study because they knew that education would have helped me open the doors that I wanted to open.
My dad’s an ex police man and when I chose biology he would have loved for me to join the criminal science unit – but did not force me to! He was as happy when I told him I wanted to be a researcher.
My advice is to take the opportunities that your parents give you until you’re sure about what you want to do when you grow up – they only want your best!

Kerry Ann Brown answered on 14 Mar 2022:

My parents never pushed for anything. They always just said ‘do your best’ and I still listen to that advice today. No tutors or opportunities to go into science. They did encourage me to ask questions though and think about why things work as they are or how things could be better.

Kathleen Duffin answered on 15 Mar 2022:

My parents encouraged me to work hard in school generally, but they didn’t push me toward a certain career path. I was always fairly motivated and wanted to do well in whatever I did, so I didn’t need to be pushed into working hard. I had a few wonderful teachers at school who really inspired me and helped me to find the right career path for me.

Kamla Reddi answered on 22 Mar 2022:

I never had a tutor as a child. Both my parents do not come from professional jobs and English is not their first language.

I just worked hard through studying and asking questions when I was unsure of the subject. I sometimes wanted to give up but both my parents encouraged me to carry on and always believed that I could do my degree and get good results. They have always been very supportive and think I work to hard now 🙂

Question: As a child, did your parents work you hard to be a scientist, and almost make a career for you by giving you tutors and opportunities, or did you decide that you actually like science yourself?

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