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It seems that a career in the sciences is no longer sexy, although I have my doubts that it ever was, to be honest.

It seems that these days, kids would rather try a more lucrative profession such as law, film directing, politics, or even selling used cars. Science, I'm afraid, has become dull, boring and impoverishing.

So how are we going to turn this decline in science graduates around and make chemistry, biology, physics, and other areas of science "the place to be"?

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Well maybe the first thing to do is look at how little our scientists are being paid.

Poor pay for graduates in these fields is nothing new. I recall that when I was a kid I wanted to be a scientist -- until I found out how little they got paid that is.

Of course newly graduated lawyers, doctors and other professionals don't get a fistful of money either -- but after getting a bit of experience under their belt, *they* all have the option of starting their own business with comparatively little capital.

I see very few "underpaid" self-employed doctors, lawyers, accountants, and other professionals so it becomes a lot easier for these people to pay off their student debts and start accumulating some wealth.

But, by comparison, take your average molecular biologist...

He's not going to get a snot-load of money in a salaried position. Yes, it'll be more than the average wage -- but I'd wager that it'll take him a lot longer to repay his huge student loan than would a lawyer or doctor.

Does our biologist have the option of starting his how business? Of course he does -- but how can (s)he afford to do so?

Not only is there still the huge millstone of a student loan hanging over their head but there's also the fact that setting up a laboratory in which to do research costs many, many times more than setting up a small law-practice somewhere in the suburbs.

Then there's the problem of cashflow during those early years.

Our lawyer will be earning cash almost from day one. This means (s)he won't need a huge wad of cash reserves to keep them going. They'll be able to pay their bills and cost of living from the money they're earning.

No such luck for our molecular biologist. They're probably going to have to work away for several years before they can produce a marketable product - and all that time they're spending money but earning none.

So, if you look at things this way, it's little wonder that our kids are saying "thanks but no thanks" when it comes to a career in science.

Today's consumerism-driven society and the need to accumulate "toys" to demonstrate your level of "success" has meant that few are prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to engage in such a career, even if it's what they truly desire.

We've got to start valuing our scientists a little more, paying them a fair amount of money that reflects their own investment in education and training.

Perhaps we also have to work harder at setting up incubators -- and perhaps even have a number of "science benefits" (as we already do with artists for goodness sakes) so as to help struggling sci grads get on their feet in their own businesses.

I'm sorry Helen and Michael, you can't have a knowledge economy without the people who are charged with the responsibility of coming up with the valuable IP.

It's been acknowledged that we have a problem -- now fix it!

Let's at least make science as important (I'd say more so) as "The Arts" when it comes to fostering creativity and supporting those who work in these fields.

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