• Question: Is being a scientist your favourite job or would you rather do a different job

    Asked by Allanah on 24 Sep 2024. This question was also asked by much520wary.
    • Photo: Rachael Eggleston

      Rachael Eggleston answered on 24 Sep 2024:

      It’s hard to say, because I haven’t done very many other jobs! But out of the jobs I’ve heard of and done, being a scientist is definitely my favorite.

    • Photo: Michael C Macey

      Michael C Macey answered on 25 Sep 2024:

      I definitely enjoy being a scientist and having a job that lets me teach and do research – my only other jobs were working a paper round (12-16), working in a supermarket on the tills and deli counter (16-21) and work experience in a book shop (16) and in the civil service (23). Based on that and my parent’s experience working (Dad in an office and Mum in a charity shop) I think I am happiest in science.

    • Photo: Camilla Cassidy

      Camilla Cassidy answered on 25 Sep 2024:

      I really love my job, and wouldn’t trade it at all! That said I think a lot of people learn more about what they like and so do different jobs over time to follow their interests as they discover new ones, so lots of people like all their jobs even though the one they used to do might be very different to the one they do now!

    • Photo: Martin McMahon

      Martin McMahon answered on 4 Oct 2024:

      Yes, definitely Yes. I’ve had loads of great things to do as a scientist.

    • Photo: Michael Schubert

      Michael Schubert answered on 4 Oct 2024:

      I’m a scientist and a writer. My favourite job is both! I wouldn’t want to do anything else, but I also wouldn’t want to give up the science OR the writing. I love that my job has both parts!

Comments

  • Photo: Andrew M

    Andrew M commented on :

    At the moment I’m content where I am doing what I do. There’s always the dream of other roles, of paths not taken at school or university but I can only imagine what they might have been like, I know no other. In truth this suits me well.

    I considered archaeology but have no patience. I thought of architecture but can’t draw a line. In physics the maths disolved into ink on a page with shape but no meaning like looking at the letters and missing the word. Economics I feared I might like too much, not good to start thinking of people as mobile manipulable consuming units, though quite fun.

    I like what chemistry has done for me (career, travel, friends and colleagues); I like what it has done to me, the way I observe, think and consider the world. Had I taken another path I would not be me but someone else.

  • Photo: Martin M

    Martin M commented on :

    I’m happy with what I am and what I do… I don’t think I could find an alternative career that would be as enjoyable as my current job.

  • Photo: Steve P

    Steve P commented on :

    I’m very happy to have my physics with microelectronics and computing degree. I’ve not used the degree in research as I’m not a research scientist. Instead I’ve used some technical aspects of my degree in my engineering and IT/Cyber roles. Mostly I call myself an engineer although I also call myself a scientist by degree.
    If I’d taken a more science-focussed career path I’d have liked to have worked at CERN where cutting edge engineering and technology is used to investigate the subatomic particles that give us clues about how the universe works.

  • Photo: Don C

    Don C commented on :

    The role I had before I retired was the best job I ever had. I think all the learning I did at college and most importantly on the job in all of the roles I had prepared me for my final role. I also got to do innovative science which lead to publishing papers and book chapters along with presenting work from my team around the world.