Hi there! I'm about to start at a university where I plan on getting a Biochemistry degree and a career in forensic science. Any advice?
Heya Nonnie! As two students, our best advice for someone starting university is to get involved early. We really wish we had.
Academically, do your readings, even if it’s to skim it. Also don’t skip out on those tiny quizzes, they add up and can be a difference between a 49 and a 50% :P.
Badger your professors for laboratory positions, read a lot about what is going on in forensics right now (beyond what the media says), go to conferences if you can, and career fairs if you can’t. Don’t get to your fourth year like us and try to start networking then- it’s too late.
Networking is key- you will need a foot in the door to get the lab experience, or TA jobs, or the right reference to get a job. So make friends with people in different programs, make friends with your professor (and bother them in office hours. It’s surprising how often they have them and sit in their office twiddling their thumbs), and most importantly enjoy the next 3+ years in university.
It’ll be alright if by the time you reach your last year you have no idea what you’re going to do next. Watson and I barely know what we will be doing this time next year (a Masters degree hopefully, a job in the field later on, but you never know).
It all works out in the end, so good luck!