Question: I really want to be a palaeontologist when I’m older but I’m not sure how to get there

Liam Herringshaw answered on 27 Mar 2025:

Anyone can be a palaeontologist, whether or not you end up doing palaeontology as a paid job. Most paid palaeontologists work in universities or museums, having studied geology and/or biology at university and then specialized with a higher degree in palaeontology after that. To study geology or biology at university you will normally need to study a good amount of science at school (although geology can be more flexible – I studied English, Geology, Geography and Maths before going to university).
What I will say is that a lot of fossil experts don’t have a degree in geology or biology or palaeontology. You can join local societies, visit museums, read books, go to science festivals, meet scientists, and study palaeontology for pleasure whilst doing a job in something else. I know people who have worked for years in other jobs (teaching, construction work, office jobs) whilst doing palaeontology in their spare time. Good luck!