Career paths vary a great deal and choosing a scientific vocation can involve challenging and unanticipated decisions. In a new series from the Soapbox Science blog on nature.com, 13 guest bloggers share their stories of career transitions. From a UK politician who started out in biochemistry to a scientist who gave up a career in IT to do a PhD, the posts highlight some of the diverse routes into and out of a career in science. Have a read and let us know your thoughts, either here or in the posts below.  Read more