Science is a curious profession. It is relatively easy to get into, but much harder to be truly successful at. There are many different paths to success and just as many ways to fail. Many who have an interest in science in school never find their way into a science career. Many who do get an advanced degree in science are never able to get a grant or conduct a successful research program and may leave the field after a while. Some are tempted to cut corners and thus ruin their careers. Even those who have a science job may not be secure in their abilities or their productivity.

This book has four parts. In Chapter 1, science as a career is explored. What do scientists in different fields study? What skills are needed? How do scientists spend their time? How do you choose the right career path? Chapters 2 and 3 cover the ins and outs of creativity and problem solving, the central keys to success in research. Chapter 4 discusses the social dimension of being a scientist.

The most difficult part of a scientist's job is conducting research. Huge amounts of time are wasted in science experiments that fail, ideas that don't pan out, and papers that are never finished. Effort is wasted on proposals that don't get funded and projects whose results are never published. Even published studies are often flawed. Why?