• Question: what made you want to become scientists?

    Asked by jessicatoye to Andrew, Ben, Beth, Heather, Louisa on 23 Jun 2010 in Categories: . This question was also asked by laurenmcgovern.
    • Photo: Louisa Chard

      Louisa Chard answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      Hiya Jessica and Lauren I don’t really remember why I wanted to be a scientist. I remember at school it seemed like an interesting subject and something that I could get to grips with. There were facts to learn and I could understand how people had come to certain conclusions. I enjoyed things like English and History, but they did seem a little bit wishy-washy to me! It seemed like there were a lot of good career paths to follow in science, there are so many areas to work in and types of jobs to do, not just doctors and nurses but researchers in all sorts of fields (as you can hopefully tell now from the types of scientists you’ve been talking to). I thought that if nothing else, there would be a defined path to follow for my career and I would learn stuff that is interesting at uni. I’m so glad I did it now, I love my job, it’s flexible and always interesting. I do different stuff everyday and it is not a normal 9-5 office job. Plus I learn interesting stuff all the time and so have lots to talk about. Do you think you would think of it as a career? If so, what field?

    • Photo: Ben Still

      Ben Still answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      I enjoyed it, simple as that. Science does not feel like a job to me because it is always interesting, challenging and exciting.

      It was tough at first, admittedly, and seemed boring in school at times. But, as you learn more about the Universe in which we live you experience weird and wonderful things that pass other people by.

    • Photo: Beth Dyson

      Beth Dyson answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      I just loved finding out about things! I always wanted to know why everything worked and how things happened – I think I drove my parents mad!

    • Photo: Andrew McKinley

      Andrew McKinley answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      It never occurred to me to *not* be a scientist. I’ve always enjoyed it, and I believed in always doing what I enjoy doing – I also thought that if I study a science, I can always apply it to something else if the fancy takes me. Fortunately, I have been able to remain a scientist, and to continue doing what I love doing!

    • Photo: Heather McKee

      Heather McKee answered on 23 Jun 2010:

      A couple of years ago I worked in a clinic with morbidly obese people, helping them loose weight through psychological intervention, counselling, diet and exercise. Before I left one of my clients(who had been massively successful in weight loss during the programme) came up to me and said that i had given her back her life. That is what inspired me to persue being a scientist if i only have the opportunity to help one more person in my career then it will be worth it!

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