Young students of science may choose a career in research for a number of different reasons. Some are driven by an intrinsic curiosity about the world and a love of understanding how nature works. For others, the possibility of recognition and esteem are a driving force. Still others have a meticulous nature, and the notion of gaining and maintaining some control over experimental systems appeals to them. As is inevitably the case, some students pursue science because of the expectations of others rather than from their own interests and ambitions. Finally, some go into science because they’ve been in school their whole lives, haven’t given much thought to what the next step should be (other than moving on to the next grade, as they’ve always done in school), and really can’t figure out what else to do. Given the complexities of human behavior, for many, it is a combination of these factors and additional factors not mentioned here.