Hi Steve,

This depends on how you define "scientist." Some people would say that you need to have a Ph.D. to be a scientist. I finished my Ph.D. in physics in the year 2000, so I guess that would about 13 years. However, I know people who work in positions with "scientist" in their job title who only have a B.S. degree in physics, computer science or engineering. After I had my B.S. degree in physics and was going to graduate school to earn my Ph.D., one of the professors told me that I should never let anyone tell me I'm not a scientist just because I didn't have my Ph.D. yet. So if you go from the time I finished college, I have been a scientist for much longer!

I am not currently teaching, but I have taught physics labs and an astronomy course in the past. I even helped write part of the lab manual for a physics lab on magnetism. Mostly I just do reseach now, but I really enjoy talking with students on Solar Week.

Kris

Hi Steve;

I am presently doing research primarily, but I do mentor middle- and high-school students (for science-fair projects, for example), and have advised graduate students and post-doctoral researchers -- they are "new" scientists. I do miss being in a classroom, though! Still, I do also give presentations in elementary, middle, and high schools so I do get to interact with a lot of students, just not as a formal classroom professor right now.

I got my PhD in 1995, but was an active "science-minded kid" forever before that. A PhD may demonstrate a certain degree of training, but many people get similar training "on the job" and be extremely productive.

Cheers, -KD