It’s been far too long since Forensic Friday made an appearance. And what better way to bring back Forensic Friday than to discuss advice for aspiring forensic scientists or current practitioners in the field.
Now, this advice doesn’t come from a textbook or from what you would expect to learn in school…this advice comes from some badass women within the forensic science field who have a wide variety of experience.
I have to warn you, some of this advice might be hard to read but the truth can be ugly. It’s not always sunshine, rainbows, and happy endings in this field. It is hard work, can be emotionally draining, and there is often never enough time, money, or training available. On the flip side, this career is rewarding, challenging in the best way, mind stimulating, and exciting. With that being said, if you can keep some of this advice in mind, you will have a very satisfying career within the forensic science field. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else! It is the most fulfilling, exciting career a gal could ask for!
Advice for Aspiring Forensic Scientists or Current Practitioners:
Start developing a strong CV early. Obtain a hard science or forensic science degree, volunteer, get internships, shadow, conduct research.
There is a big difference between a hard science/forensic science degree and a criminal justice degree. Sorry criminal justice peeps but employers are looking for prospective employees to have successfully completed courses in organic chemistry, statistics, calculus, genetics, etc. These classes are no joke…you will want to quit and change your major, you will call your mom crying, you might even fail the first time you take the course BUT KEEP GOING! Speaking from experience, I hit a lot of roadblocks that nearly destroyed me along my academic career and I almost changed my major to interior design. I am so glad that I kept fighting the good fight because I absolutely love my career! Remember, YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE!
Mind your social media presence…it will come back to haunt you!
Join a professional organization, such as the American Academy of Forensic Sciences or the International Association for Identification. Go to hosted conferences to learn and network.
Be willing to relocate. Depending on which part of the country you are trying to find a job in, it’s like the hunger games out there! Fun Fact: I spent the first five years of my career away from home.
It’s unrealistic to “do all the things” (disciplines) like the jobs that are portrayed on TV. In addition to that, this job is not like what you see on TV. Crime is not solved in an hour, sometimes there is no evidence to be found, we do not wear stilettos to crime scenes, and we are never the hero’s who arrest the bad guys.
Prepare, prepare, prepare for your interviews! Research the agency, review technical terms, practice questions and answers out loud, and make sure to dress the part when it’s game time! Looking to crush your next interview?!? Check out this post on how to create an interview study guide!
Be appreciative of the opportunities you are presented with each day. Taking for granted the experience you are gaining, the relationships you are building, the people you are helping puts you on the train headed straight for complacency. A complacent employee is not a good look. Remember, there are individuals out there who would do anything to be in your shoes.
Hold yourself accountable. Missing deadlines, being disorganized, and acting like a hot mess is no one else’s fault but your own. There are others out there who are just as busy or with more going on who can submit an internship application by a specific deadline or can arrive at a meeting on time.
Be aware of your emotional intelligence in the workplace. How you carry yourself and how you treat people speaks volumes about your character. With that being said, always be aware of who is watching you and who can hear you on scene; be a positive reflection of the department you work for.
Be able to work alone just as well as you can work with a team.
Always remain professional and never leave a job/career on bad terms. The forensic community is small and you’d hate to work with someone in the future that you burned a bridge with in the past.
For those in a leadership role (or striving to be), learn how to delegate and trust your staff. A lot of examiners can be Type A, and moving up in the ranks creates the need to let some things go.
Be a lifelong learner. It is an absolute MUST for all forensic disciplines. Try to stay current in the field through reading new articles and keeping up with current research or techniques being used. It’s easy to let it slip away from you when casework and your agency takes priority.
Try to have a progressive mindset. There’s always better, newer, or more efficient ways to do something as science and technology are always advancing and staying on top of it will be beneficial to keep up with the evolving nature of forensic science.
Learn how to give and take constructive criticism. As a forensic scientist, you are under scrutiny ALL THE TIME and your mistakes are always being pointed out to you. Eat humble pie and get on with it.
For those in a leadership role (or striving to be), it’s okay to no longer be “the best”. You want your staff to be better than you, that’s what you train them to be.
Hate to be a Debbie Downer but get used to no one thanking you for the work you do.
Take care of your mental health. We see and process the worst of humanity and you need to be able to mentally and emotionally cope with this in healthy ways. Burnout is a real thing and everyone experiences it. Some people quit and open bakeries, some people get promoted to be your supervisor or lab manager, and they’re so burnt out nothing matters anymore.
Let’s Wrap This Up
A career in Forensic Science is like no other I can promise you that! If you are willing to put in the work, have patience, remain open-minded, and be willing to be progressive, you will be successful. Know that the work you do or will be doing is so important! You are making a difference in someone’s life everyday…if that doesn’t motivate you to keep hustling, I don’t know what will!
To my fellow Forensic Scientists out there, are there any words of advice you are willing to share? Comment below!