Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Forensic Science?
Hey G.G.
I am in Grade 11 and in my second semester. In the first semester, I took chemistryand got a 55 in the course, my teacher highly recommends that I do not take it nextyear as I will proably fail. I am taking biology this semester and I've only beentaking it for 2 days now and I can't get a good enough impression about it until atleast 3 weeks into the course. I really love the show CSI, and I want to go touniversity to study Forensic Science, but I can't get in to it unless I take grade12 Chemistry. Plus, I can not think of anything else I can do if I am not going totake Forsenics. What do you think I should do?
Thanks,
T.F.
*****
Dear T.F.
If I had a dollar for every kid that wanted a career in forensics because of CSI, I'd have enough money to start my own show! I only hope there isn't enough crime in the world for the number of people who want to be forensic scientists.
Forensic science is just that...science. BIG time chemistry, biology, physics, environmental science, etc. In fact, it's organic chemistry (many science majors think this is the hardest course they ever take), molecular biology, eco-biology, etc. It's also law, psychology, abnormal psychology, criminology, calculus, advanced statistics, etc. In other words, it's tough!
I'm not saying any of this to scare you off. I just want you to understand what's involved. It takes an incredible amount of intelligence, focus and determination to make it in this career. It also takes the ability to stay emotionally detached. After all, you're working not only with murder, but the families of victims. Heavy stuff.
It's interesting you said you don't have any other thoughts about what you want to do. There's a whole world out there you don't seem to know enough about. Does your school have a career office? If so, pay them a visit and discuss different careers. Talk with your guidance counselor as well, and speak with lots of adults who are in different types of careers. If you check things out thoroughly and decide you still want to be a forensic scientist, go for it!
I also seriously encourage you to pick up "So, You Wanna Go To College..." This will help you understand the world of careers a little better. It's at my online bookstore.
Getting career guidance from TV? There are definitely better sources of information.
Thanks for your letter,
The Guidance Guy
I am in Grade 11 and in my second semester. In the first semester, I took chemistryand got a 55 in the course, my teacher highly recommends that I do not take it nextyear as I will proably fail. I am taking biology this semester and I've only beentaking it for 2 days now and I can't get a good enough impression about it until atleast 3 weeks into the course. I really love the show CSI, and I want to go touniversity to study Forensic Science, but I can't get in to it unless I take grade12 Chemistry. Plus, I can not think of anything else I can do if I am not going totake Forsenics. What do you think I should do?
Thanks,
T.F.
*****
Dear T.F.
If I had a dollar for every kid that wanted a career in forensics because of CSI, I'd have enough money to start my own show! I only hope there isn't enough crime in the world for the number of people who want to be forensic scientists.
Forensic science is just that...science. BIG time chemistry, biology, physics, environmental science, etc. In fact, it's organic chemistry (many science majors think this is the hardest course they ever take), molecular biology, eco-biology, etc. It's also law, psychology, abnormal psychology, criminology, calculus, advanced statistics, etc. In other words, it's tough!
I'm not saying any of this to scare you off. I just want you to understand what's involved. It takes an incredible amount of intelligence, focus and determination to make it in this career. It also takes the ability to stay emotionally detached. After all, you're working not only with murder, but the families of victims. Heavy stuff.
It's interesting you said you don't have any other thoughts about what you want to do. There's a whole world out there you don't seem to know enough about. Does your school have a career office? If so, pay them a visit and discuss different careers. Talk with your guidance counselor as well, and speak with lots of adults who are in different types of careers. If you check things out thoroughly and decide you still want to be a forensic scientist, go for it!
I also seriously encourage you to pick up "So, You Wanna Go To College..." This will help you understand the world of careers a little better. It's at my online bookstore.
Getting career guidance from TV? There are definitely better sources of information.
Thanks for your letter,
The Guidance Guy
