• Question: Is working in science fulfilling?

    Asked by emoore on 6 Nov 2024.
    • Photo: Emilia Arguello

      Emilia Arguello answered on 6 Nov 2024:

      Absolutely! You get to understand better how the world works, and in some career paths, even have a direct impact on ppl’s lives (e.g., drug development, climate science, biomedical research, policymaking).

    • Photo: Lisa Mullan

      Lisa Mullan answered on 3 Dec 2024:

      Any job is fulfilling if you are doing something you enjoy and it is appreciated by those you work for.

    • Photo: Pete Webb

      Pete Webb answered on 17 Dec 2024:

      Yes, always. The world needed oil and gas so I worked to fulfill that need, and enjoyed doing it. Now I work to promote renewable energy, and I enjoy doing that as well.

    • Photo: Emma Weir

      Emma Weir answered on 10 Mar 2025:

      Yes! Or I think so any way

      When you do an experiment or plan a project you’re trying to answer a question and it’s always satisfying to get a yes or no answer (even though this doesn’t happen all the time)

      And because the end goal is usually to help people, directly or indirectly, it’s a fulfilling outcome

Comments

  • Photo: tame520emyd

    tame520emyd commented on :

    It is nice to know that

  • Photo: sandrarobertson

    sandrarobertson commented on :

    Yes! It can be very rewarding when a project you have been working on completes and brings potentially life changing benefits to others. When you see your company logo or product on the shelves in your local shops, or being advertised on TV. It can be hard work, with lots of boring paperwork and report writing, but it there is always a sense of achievement when an idea becomes a reality.

  • Photo: John CC

    John CC commented on :

    I think working in science is hugely rewarding. We find out more and more about how things work and what’s going on. Obviously, project to project that can be different. Some people work on basics and fundamentals, which may take a long time to translate to helping people or animals, but it’s still rewarding I think. In a PhD, you’re rarely working alone all the time so seeing other people (at your stage, above and below) develop and succeed is fantastic. It can be hard to see it yourself but other people it’s great. And there’s opportunities to pay it forward and make things better for the next generation of people coming through.

  • Photo: Kareen

    Kareen commented on :

    Yes, for me I really think it is. I like to think I am helping people, every day is a bit different and I enjoy that it keeps it interesting for me at the same time.

  • Photo: Kirsty L

    Kirsty L commented on :

    Yes- mostly. It can also be a bit boring ( “eurgh- emails”) and a bit frustrating ( “ahhh- why won’t my experiment work!”), but also fulfilling (“ahh- that is why that happened”)

  • Photo: andreeaclaudiatoma

    andreeaclaudiatoma commented on :

    Working in science can be very fulfilling!!!
    Science is about exploring the world, asking questions, and finding answers. This process of discovery allows scientists to understand how things work, solve problems, and improve our lives. The excitement of uncovering new information or developing solutions to complex issues gives a deep sense of purpose.