• Question: when did you know you wanted to be a scientist, did you just wake up and go I want to be a scientist or did someone inspire you?

    Asked by emmajenkins1027 to Chris, Joanne, Kathryn, Kieran, Sarah on 7 Nov 2017.
    • Photo: Joanne Duffy

      Joanne Duffy answered on 7 Nov 2017:

      Lots of people inspired me in different ways. My secondary school biology teacher was absolutely incredible, and my dad is an engineer with a passion for all things science. I had always been into music and writing; I thought that meant I was bad at science. But then I realised that science is for everyone, you just have to have a passion for it. I decided to apply to do general science at university because I wasn’t sure what area I wanted to go into, or what type of job I would like. And then at university it became clearer to me that research was the type of career I was looking for, as opposed to working in a company.

    • Photo: Sarah Guerin

      Sarah Guerin answered on 7 Nov 2017:

      Definitely didn’t wake up and want to become a scientist- it was a very slow process through school and college of liking science (as well as lots of other things!), and also choosing science, having good/fun science teachers, and taking part in fun science activities.

    • Photo: Chris Werner

      Chris Werner answered on 8 Nov 2017:

      No, it wasn’t a eureka I want to be a scientist moment for me. It was something I’d been gearing up for as long as I remember. Do something in science or engineering was my thinking when I was young. I had an inspiration on the way as I had (and still have it) a real passion for natural hazards, so Hurricane Ophelia was right up my street, that’s what got me hooked!

      It also helps having a great teacher, as having a bad one who doesn’t express their love for the subject can turn people off it. The more science is made so that its fun, the better!

    • Photo: Kathryn Schoenrock

      Kathryn Schoenrock answered on 12 Nov 2017:

      I think as you grow up you see what jobs are like, have a few jobs yourself, and really learn what is interesting to you. My first job was as a sales person in an art gallery. I was so bored, but learned how to shrink wrap stuff. My second was an assistant position in an office… dawwww I folded so many letters and licked so many envelopes. When I left high school I decided I had to get a job that was fun and would challenge me- so I focused on Marine Biology. You have to listen to what your brain tells you to do, and also learn about the job and make sure you are willing to commit 70% of your days to doing it well!

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