What used to be the practice of science and research – the understanding of natural phenomena – has undergone substantial alterations in the past century. As an aspect of society, science and its practitioners are not beyond the realm of contemporary transformations taking place in society driven by numerous causes, mainly of an economic nature. The purpose of this article is to present to young and enthusiastic students, who are consumed by their curiosity to investigate natural phenomena and therefore plan to join the academic ranks to perform research, what they will find in today’s academic environment. In addition, practical advice will be presented so that the variety of obstacles that we find in this day and age can be minimised so that the true purpose of the scientist – to think, to reflect and to perform experiments and analysis of natural phenomena – can be achieved, if at least to some extent. This article can be informative to some professional academics, although they might already know and have experienced everything that will be presented in this narrative.