• Question: why did you want to become a Scientist?

    Asked by niamhgillespie to Lyn, Katy, Paul, PB, Ruth on 17 Jun 2013. This question was also asked by thomascockram9, ahmed24610, lukepiesley, chardi1234cakes, evemackley.
    • Photo: Katy Brown

      Katy Brown answered on 17 Jun 2013:

      I didn’t originally want to be a scientist, although I was always interested in science. I used to think that working in the lab all day would be boring and wanted a job which uses science instead, like being a doctor or nurse. However, the first time I did some of my own research I realised how interesting it can be, and that scientists can do a lot more than just lab work.

      When you work as a scientist there is a lot of variety in what you do day to day and lots of opportunities to interact with other people – students, scientists and the public. There’s also lots of freedom and chances to travel all over the world.

    • Photo: Ee Lyn Lim

      Ee Lyn Lim answered on 17 Jun 2013:

      This is the question I asked myself when I was trying to decide whether to study Biochemistry or English Literature at university (I had offers for both!). I did always know I would like to be an academic (a researcher, or maybe a teacher), rather than a doctor or an engineer or a lawyer or a business person…it probably has to do with the fact that I’m not great at dealing with people! But why science instead of a different subject – I think I was sold on the idea of learning how living things function, which I feel is the most fascinating and most relevant thing to learn!

    • Photo: Peter Balfe

      Peter Balfe answered on 17 Jun 2013:

      I’m nosy. I was the sort of kid who took clocks to bits to see how they worked and re-assembled my toys in weird new ways. It sort of grew from there.

      One of the best definitions of a scientist I’ve heard is that they’re observers of the world. Often very highly trained and deeply skilled observers, but fundamentally just people who like to see how the world works.

    • Photo: Ruth Mitchell

      Ruth Mitchell answered on 17 Jun 2013:

      I didn’t! I wanted to study medicine!

      Here is my story: I first started thinking about science at school, where I was interested in biology and the human body and disease. That influenced my decision to do a more scientific route at A levels and then still enjoying learning about the human body but wanting to be practical, I applied for medicine at university. I didn’t get in but was offered a place on a Biomedical Science course which I went for thinking it would give me a good base for applying for graduate medicine. At university, I met PhD students (scientists in training! (a degree gives you the theory about science and a PhD gives you the practical aspect)) and that got me thinking about scientific research. After my undergraduate degree, I re-applied for medicine but didn’t get in and I’m now doing a PhD and I’m enjoying it – doing the research behind medicine!

    • Photo: Paul Waines

      Paul Waines answered on 27 Jun 2013:

      I was always into science, although when I was younger I don’t think I knew what proper science was. I would always be asking questions and driving my parents mad by bringing stuff from the garden into the house!

      As I got older, I realised that you could do this for a living, and even though some of the jobs I’ve done have not been ‘as a scientist’ they’ve always had a ‘sciencey’ bit to them.

      It must be in my DNA- oh no, I’m talking about science again…

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