Re: What does it take to become an archaeologist or a paleontologist?

What does it take to become an archaeologist or a paleontologist?

I recently answered a question that was fairly similar to this one, so you 
might want to start by reading over that answer here 
(http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/jan2000/948494270.Sh.r.html).

To start with, I would suggest that you learn a lot more about both fields 
of study, because they are very different. Yes, they are both historical 
sciences but the skills and knowledge base they use and the questions they 
ask are different. Imagine if you had asked - What does it take to become 
an actor or a painter? Both are types of artists, but they use different 
skills.

However, since you are in High School, the answer for you would be much the 
same regardless of your area of scientific interest. Take every subject 
that you can - and take them at the most advanced level that you can 
handle.

Many scientists these days are extremely specialized, so that they know a 
great deal about very little. As a result, some of the more important 
advances come from people finding links between seemingly unrelated areas 
of science. Therefore, biology and earth science are important for the 
paleontologist and social science is important for the archaeologist - but 
great advances are being made by applying fairly simple chemistry, physics 
and mathematics to these areas. Depending upon the route you take in your 
education, your training in these subjects may end with your high school 
experience. So make the most of them.

You also need to hone your skills in English, art and literature. You may 
not think these subjects are important for a scientist in training, but you 
could not be more wrong. At the very least, a scientist needs to be able to 
communicate their findings, and the only place you learn how to write with 
clarity is in your English class. Similarly, scientists need to be able to 
create logical arguements to defend their theories. When you write a paper 
for your literature course, you are defending a theory that has no right 
answer, instead your paper is judged on how well you construct and defend 
your thesis. No other class will teach you that. Finally, new scientific 
advances are products of the imagination. Creative writing and art classes 
train you to use your imagnination.

Finally, what does it really take to become a scientist (archaeologist, 
paleontologist, chemist, physicist, whatever)? It takes a commitment to 
learn everything you can about the subject and a then still have a desire 
to learn more. You need to foster the imagination in a way that will allow 
you to ask questions no one has yet thought to ask, and then you need the 
determination to answer those questions.