• Question: Do you feel that your job is pressurising, and if so, when are some of the toughest times? would you reccomend someone to become a scientist?

    Asked by aparker to Suzi, Tim on 24 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 24 Jun 2011:

      Hi @aparker
      There is always pressure on you, whatever you do, but so far I have found academia and research to be less pressure than when I worked as a secretary in the NHS, for example.

      The good thing about a PhD is the pressure generally comes from yourself, so you can put as much or as little pressure on as you want, and guide your work like that.

      There is sometimes pressure to write up results if there are other people looking at a similar thing, but so far I’ve not found it too bad. But I’m at the beginning of my career – Tim is a lot more advanced so it may be different for him.

      I would REALLY recommend becoming a scientist if you have an inquisitive mind, and you enjoy science, and discovering new things.

      Do you think a career in science is something you’d be interested in?

    • Photo: Tim Fosker

      Tim Fosker answered on 24 Jun 2011:

      Hi @aparker

      I would recommend becoming a scientist to anyone who has questions they would like to answer. It is not just a job it is a way of life, because you never stop thinking about things.

      That doesn’t mean I think it is easy. You can put yourself under a lot of pressure to work hard.

      This week has been pretty tough for me. I have had loads of meetings, deadlines finishing written work, references to write for past students, the list goes on…. And I’ve been having live chats and answering questions.

      Nevertheless I’m a scientist has been fantastic and most of the pressure scientists are under is because they want to do something ‘new’, not because someone else is telling them to.

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