Good grades and test scores can make a difference, but doing poorly at school doesn’t automatically mean you’re not cut out for science. Sometimes what makes one thing challenging for you, actually makes you great at something else. In my experience, the skills you need to become a scientist are pretty different from the ones you need to ace a quiz.

There are certain things in life that might push you towards going in one direction or another. No matter how far you are down one path, it is never too late to make a change and move in a direction that is better for you.

There are a lot of companies out there, like Illumina, that will allow you to work on really cool projects as a scientist or engineer without compromising on the rest of your life. It’s possible to prioritize work-life balance in science and still do meaningful research, you just have to be open to a wide range of opportunities. They also typically pay more than an academic institution.