• Question: hi what do you like about being a scientist?

    Asked by sarahsowter to Davie, Gemma, James P, James V, Nuala on 25 Jun 2012. This question was also asked by daralk, dominikarak, beckybieber, courteneyjames.
    • Photo: James Pope

      James Pope answered on 25 Jun 2012:

      Hi sarahsowter

      Pretty much everything is the simple answer. I get to investigate things I am interested in, and learn new things every day, once I have made progress in my research I am able to travel to a conference in places such as Vienna, or San Francisco (or recently Crewe!) and show my work to other scientists, some of which may be some of the brightest minds on the planet and I get to chat about my work with them, treated as an equal. I just love sitting around with other scientists and chatting about my science, their science or just about something we have seen or read about. We also chat about normal everyday things and it’s a very strange feeling when you are speaking to a world leading scientist about who will win Euro 2012 or Wimbledon, though sadly not the next Ashes yet, I need more Australian workmates to talk cricket with!

      I guess the best bit is though, that I know what I am doing will make a difference, even in a small way to the future of the planet and the human race, so I guess that’s what I like most.

    • Photo: Nuala Carson

      Nuala Carson answered on 26 Jun 2012:

      Hey guys,

      There are a lot of great things about being a scientists. I love being a climate scientist because I get to work on one of the most exciting areas of science. Its so important to everyone lives so its essential that we try and understand it better!

      There are also great perks like traveling to other countries for conferences (like America, Italy, Hawaii!) Science is a global job and we work with people for all over the world. By attending these conference you get to show your work and get input from a greater range of people.

    • Photo: Gemma Purser

      Gemma Purser answered on 27 Jun 2012:

      That no day is ever the same! Everytime I go to work I learn something new. I know this can sometimes sound a bit geeky but ive had jobs where I did the same thing day in day out without really learning anymore the whole time I was there. I think science is endless in the amount of things you can learn and the direction you can take your interests. Science is wide open and its all down to your own ideas and imagination really that takes you in the direction you want to go!

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