How can I become a scientific researcher?

Question

I'm interested in the evolution of animals, and how it relates to humans and human evolution.

I'm also interested in anthropology, and would love to be able to find statistics about humankind, the human mind, how it works, etc.

Lastly, I'm interested in outer space and researching about life on other planets, finding planets similar to earth, solar systems similar to ours, etc.

What job would suit me and how would I go about preparing for it? I'll be entering my 10th grade in high school this year. What should I major in in college? :O

Answer 1

Read, read, read. Join groups of people with interests similar to yours.

When you enter college, you might want to start with a Zoology major. You can always change it if you decide that it isn't for you. You might consider astronomy or anthroplogy as a minor. You can change those too, if you want. You will want to take courses in all those fields, plus psychology and sociology. That's why almost everyone takes the same introducory courses in freshman year. Perhaps your reading can help you eliminate one or two fields from consideration. You might also start to think about what you want to do after college. There aren't that many jobs available for xenobiologists, so you might want to make your interest in outer space a hobby rather than a vocation.