• Question: How did you find what career you liked when you were at school because I don't think I have heard of any of your jobs before?

    Asked by Mynameis C.S on 3 Apr 2025.
    • Photo: Charlotte Slade

      Charlotte Slade answered on 3 Apr 2025:

      That’s such a great question! Honestly, I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do when I was at school. I loved science, but I also loved art, music, and basically anything that sparked my curiosity. It wasn’t until I started exploring different fields – through internships, volunteering, and talking to people – that I discovered how I could combine my love of science with my other interests.

      My advice? Don’t worry about finding the “perfect” career right now. Just keep exploring, keep learning, and keep asking questions. You might be surprised where your curiosity leads you!

Comments

  • Photo: sandrarobertson

    sandrarobertson commented on :

    I have experienced job titles which are very specific and others where the job the person is doing and their job title are really quite different! The business I work in we have quality engineers, and you might be put off applying for these roles if you didn’t study engineering, just from looking at the job title – but the role they do is nothing to do with engineering and none of them hold a qualification in engineering! When you are ready to start looking for a job, look at the skills required – problem solving, good with mathematics or report writing, with attention to detail. Do you want to be doing something physical or more desk bound, want to work indoors or outside. And grab any opportunity that lets you visit businesses as a open day or work experience as these will really help you decide what you do like and don’t like. Sometimes it is about finding the things you like to do, which is usually hidden in the job role description, rather than getting too stuck on specific job titles.

  • Photo: Edward

    Edward commented on :

    I really didn’t. When I was at school, there was no careers advice to speak of. It was indicate that university was a good choice, as though it was the answer to everything so I really feel your question.
    I was good at maths and so I did maths at university. I actually started doing mathematics and meteorology (weather forecasting) at university because for some weird reason, I thought doing maths on its own would be seen as ‘too easy’. Don’t ask why, I cannot explain it but I did drop the meteorology part and focussed on the maths.

    I quite agree with the other comments of Charlotte and Sandra. Don’t worry about it too much at the moment but focus on what things you enjoy and are good at. Look at the skills you have.

    I liked maths because it is a great tool for problem solving. I love asking questions and trying to figure out the answer. I also like helping people. I don’t like working outdoors as much (I get hayfever and I’m sensitive to the heat). I also like quiet spaces but now and then, I like groups of people to talk to.

    When you are choosing options for GCSE and A Level, definitely talk to your teachers and get advice. I would also look at the careers pages for the professional societies as they will tell you about jobs that you probably don’t know about. Places like the British Computing Society, the Institute of Physics, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, Institute of Mechanical Engineers etc, these can be great places to explore.