• Question: Does your job vary in difficulty? Are some cases easier than others?

    Asked by anon-345111 to Katy on 24 Jan 2023.
    • Photo: Katy Bruce

      Katy Bruce answered on 24 Jan 2023:

      Hi, thanks for the questions!

      Yes I suppose when I think about it properly, my job does have more difficult aspects than others. When I first started using the analytical instruments I found it incredibly hard getting to grips with the functions and I used to follow my notes word for word, but now it’s just like driving a car – I can do it without thinking!

      I find teaching quite easy as I’ve been doing it for many years and I enjoy giving talks and presentations, and sharing my enthusiasm and passion with others.

      The bit I find really difficult is using chemometrics to analyse all the data I have. This is partly because I’m not very good at maths and partly because it’s a computer programme and I’m rubbish at anything technology related 🤣! I also find time management tricky!

      With regards to your second question – as a student and researcher, I don’t work on real cases so I’m afraid I can’t speak from experience. However, the interesting cases are rarely the easy ones…😄

Comments

  • Photo: Lorna

    Lorna commented on :

    All cases vary in difficulty depending on so many factors. They can be physically difficult such as having to work under extreme weather conditions or demanding (once had to be hoisted over a cliff to sample) and also they can be emotionally difficult (such as crimes against children).