• Question: is it tough and boring being a scientist ? how does it feel to be so famous in your field of study?is it a lot of pressure?

    Asked by anon-186222 to Verity, Trystan, Raquel, Danny, Catherine, Andy on 5 Nov 2018.
    • Photo: Raquel Medialdea Carrera

      Raquel Medialdea Carrera answered on 5 Nov 2018:

      I think that being a scientist can be very exciting!
      It is very rewarding to be somehow famous in a particular area of study and it allows us to learn more and get involved in more projects.
      It can also have a lot of pressure. We have to work long hours and very hard, but it is all very fun!

    • Photo: Danny Ward

      Danny Ward answered on 5 Nov 2018:

      It can be tough sometimes when experiments dont work or when things dont make sense but its always rewarding still. I think its great to play a role in helping to advance our knowledge of the subject and I feel really lucky to be working with so many other great scientists.

    • Photo: Catherine Smith

      Catherine Smith answered on 5 Nov 2018:

      Tough – sometimes; boring – rarely. I am definitely not famous in my field of study! But I do feel a bit of pressure when I know that something I have worked on is being published for others to read, use, or critique.

    • Photo: Trystan Leng

      Trystan Leng answered on 5 Nov 2018:

      I think in general being a scientist is a very exciting job. You get to spend your time learning and finding out new things about something you’re really interested. It can definitely be tough – sometimes its hard to figure out how to answer the questions you’re interested in, and sometimes your research doesn’t give you the results you thought it would give.

      I’m certainly not famous in my field of study! But there can be pressure in doing science, particularly to get your research published. If its something you enjoy though, the pressure is worth it.

    • Photo: Andy Guise

      Andy Guise answered on 5 Nov 2018:

      It can be tough and boring at times, there are always elements to a job I think you might not enjoy. Having said that, the ‘pros’ definitely far outweigh the ‘cons’. And that something is tough is often a sign that it is important: science is hugely important, across all areas, and so working away at it – even when it is tough and boring, but it is usually engaging and interesting – is the key.

      Famous? not a problem I have yet…but as others have said, it can be nerve-wracking putting your work out in public for others to read, review and critique. But you get used to it. Some people even love that part of the work!

    • Photo: Verity Hill

      Verity Hill answered on 5 Nov 2018:

      It is tough, but it is definitely not boring!
      It’s usually tough because you want to do your best, and you’re always studying new and difficult stuff because that’s what interesting! There can be pressure – for a PhD student, the pressure is from finishing your work in time, and stress about not having enough (or any!) publications in scientific journals. It’s worth it though!

Comments