"The only source of knowledge is experience" -Albert Einstein
In any field, the person with the most experience is the most competitive candidate to get a job. Science is no stranger to competition. If a typical Ph.D. program only admits 10-80 students that can become quite limiting for the 200+ programs in the United States especially if you are restricted by region. Therefore it is important to seek out research opportunities as soon as possible.
If you realize you want to pursue a career in science in high school, try to get a summer job in lab. Many research institutions have formed relationships with local high schools recruiting their brightest students for these summer experiences.
If you are at the undergraduate stage, begin applying for summer research fellowships at your current institution, local medical center or a different university. For example, I attended an undergraduate university in Chicago, Illinois but spent the summer before my senior year of undergrad at a competitive medical center in Dallas, Texas. Not only will venturing out to a new university expose you to the wide world of techniques and let you assess whether biomedical research is the right field for you, but you will expand your network of professional contacts by working with professors and post doctoral fellows. Many students use this research experience to form collaborations with primary investigators (PI's) who work in the same field as their current research mentor or future field of research. Also, it provides a fantastic opportunity to gain a letter of recommendation for graduate school. Most programs will provide a stipend for your work and also provide housing options. Pick a subject area or location you have always wanted to visit and apply away!
