How do I know what science career is best for me?

[Crashdown]

I was not able to finish high school and I am expecting to start college next year. I never got the chance to sit in a physics, chem, bio or any science department in high school. I've tried to volunteer at the Virginia Science Museum and even hospitals but they never needed help. Teachers at my local community college are not trying to assist me either when I asked to sit in. All I have to go by are tv shows on Nat. Geo. Discovery etc. I read things online also when i can.

I don't know what to do. I like just about EVERYTHING in science. The only real way to exclude stuff is to note I am not good in math at all and I DO NOT want to be a teacher at all. Any suggestions? How can I get experience or some hands on before spending money and finding out it is not for me AFTER the fact? I think I like geology, biology and physics but without experience I have no idea if it is really for me or now.

I am one of those people who are ALWAYS reading those "little known facts" and I honestly think I would be bored or distracted if I had to stay in only one field of science for a long period of time. I love finding about how everything works, how they work around us and how we understand them. Every time I think I have found something I like by the next week it is something else and it's just constant flip flopping. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice?

 

[symbolipoint]

Crashdown,
Community college is the way to start. Enroll in a variety of introductory level science courses during your first two years. Doing that will help but it is not enough. Whatever major field you choose, you MUST learn some Mathematics. Several semesters might be necessary to finish the minimum courses in Math, but DO IT! Worrying that you might not be very good at Mathematics is not productive to do. Just study at your level religiously until you at least finish the mathematics courses you need.

You could find scientific or technical activities if you keep trying and know more resources. Are you interested in making bread, yoghurt, beer, wine, cheese? These are possible home-based hobbies related to microbiology, health, and food technology. These hobbies can become very sophisticated. Maybe you may find a beer & wine making supply shop near you. Do you live near an archaeological or paleontological investigative site, maybe associated with a museum? Maybe they can use volunteers. You said you tried a state museum which had no need, but maybe there are others.

Sometimes, a science department at a community college would hire one or two assistants who were excellent students in a few courses from their department; maybe for the person to clerk in a stockroom, or give tutorial help, or to give instructional assistance in lab class sections.

Do you keep or want to keep fish as pets? You could learn to pay attention to a few details of water quality, a bit of basic Chemistry, zoology; maybe you might find a part time job in a pet shop.

Regional Occupational Program in your area? You could enter a course to orient you to medical occupations and through this, get some health-care related training and experience. This might even lead to employment as nurse assistant, or records clerk.

Just begin at the community college for your education and make choices based on what you feel as you go.