Skills for aspiring scientists (such as people wanting to go to grad school) to develop early on

So you think you want to be a scientist? Maybe you're an undergrad or postbac hoping to go to grad school? Here are some skills to try to develop as early as possible (at least in my opinion & in an ideal world)
A lot of this can be found here: bit.ly/bumblingbiochemisttoolbox
thebumblingbiochemist.com/unc...
* Wet lab skills
* Biochemistry, molecular biology, etc. specific:
* PCR: bit.ly/pcrtrain & • PCR (Polymerase Chain ...
* Molecular cloning: bit.ly/molecularcloningguide & • Molecular cloning over...
* Gel electrophoresis: bit.ly/agarosegelcompare & bit.ly/sdspageruler & • Agarose gel electropho... & • SDS-PAGE: an overview
* Protein purification would be ideal if possible
* Protein purification: bit.ly/proteinpurificationtech & • recombinant protein ex...
* Familiarity with the concept (if not actual practice with) of fundamental experimental techniques like western blots & co-IPs
* co-IPs & other pull-downs: bit.ly/pulldowns
* western blots: bit.ly/westernblotworkflow
* Comfort in making buffers and solutions
* buffers: bit.ly/phbuffers & • Choosing and preparing...
* other solutions: bit.ly/sciencestocksolutions & bit.ly/startwithstocksolutions
* Proficiency with lab math (unit conversions, dilution calculations, master mixes, etc.)
* Practice doing things like μ to m (e.g. μL to mL) quickly in your head
* thebumblingbiochemist.com/let...
* bit.ly/c1v1equalsc2v2
* bit.ly/metric_calcs
* drive.google.com/file/d/1v7pf...
* drive.google.com/file/d/1TqCR...
* EXPERIENCE - this is a key thing they look for. They really want to see you doing research outside of the classroom setting.
* bit.ly/gradpostdocetc
* Computer skills
* Familiarity with using databases (Genbank, UniProt etc)
* bit.ly/databases_guide & bit.ly/3RYWlS6
* Proficiency with using spreadsheets (e.g. Excel)
* mastermixes: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
* Ideally: some computer coding/programming (e.g. basic command line & Python)
* bit.ly/why_program & • Random tip - Use a Cli...
* Ideally: use of a vector graphics program like Adobe Illustrator or InkScape (free alternative)
* bit.ly/adobe_illustrator_fund...
* Use of scientific literature
* Use of a reference manager program (e.g. Mendeley, Zotero)
* bit.ly/referencesreference & • Mendeley and other ref...
* Finding scientific papers (PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, etc.)
* bit.ly/organizing_papers & • Finding, organizing, r...
* Finding & differentiating primary literature (research articles) and review articles
* And reading and taking notes on both!
* spreadsheet for taking notes: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
* Tracking down references
* Using InterLibrary Loan to request papers through your library
* bit.ly/interlibraryloantips & • Quick tip: use interli...
* Scientific presentation
* Ideally, poster presentation(s)
* If you can get on a paper, that’s awesome. But if you can’t, it’s not a deal breaker at all!
* CRUCIAL: Being able to explain what and why you’re doing in the lab and put things into context
* bit.ly/explainingyourscience & • Explaining your resear...
* In general: Show initiative and be resourceful!
* Taking initiative to look up answers, look up protocols, etc. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT BUT OVERLOOKED!
* Google is your friend. Stack overflow, even Reddit, can be great sources of info and help when you get stuck.
* Work on strategic Googling to more easily find what you need. As long as it’s not a test or something like that, it’s not cheating to look up these things! I do it all the time!
* bit.ly/scientificgoogling & • Tips & tricks for Goog...
* Familiarize yourself with the grad school process & start looking into potential programs
* You can typically find almost all the info you need on their websites
* bit.ly/gradpostdocetc

[@OSborneCox]

I thought I wanted to do something else with my life then when I really thought about it, there aren’t other careers that interest me enough to devote most of my waking hours to. So now I am 27 and considering STARTING grad school, feeling like a fool.

[@thebumblingbiochemist]

Don't feel like a fool! You are definitely not too late! Your best bet is probably to start by getting a research tech or similar job to build some lab experience if you don't have it already, then apply. Best of luck!!!

[@ysrajt5319]

I really, really appreciate your videos and the resources you put in your descriptions. Thank you so much.

[@thebumblingbiochemist]

So nice of you - I'm so glad they're helpful!!!

[@meg.h.]

thank u internet mom

[@derpderp2590]

Is there any real prospect for someone with a mere bachelor's degree in bioengineering (somehow the syllabus barely contained any real wet lab skills aside from my interning/final year project) and not going for post-grad studies, and aiming to get into research, perhaps as a research assistant? I have heard that it is a dead-end job...

[@thebumblingbiochemist]

Research assistant is definitely not a dead-end job!! In fact, that's often how people build research experience before going to grad school. And for people who decide to not go the grad school route, there are different levels of research assistant that you can work your way up. Bes tof luck!

[@derpderp2590]

@@thebumblingbiochemist Interesting, thanks.