• Question: Why do you want to tell everybody your story Of becoming a scientist?

    Asked by anon-346788 on 24 Jan 2023.
    • Photo: Sue Black

      Sue Black answered on 24 Jan 2023:

      I think it is important to tell life stories, especially where it might influence those who are in the process of deciding what might be right for them in their life. Hearing what other people have gone through and understanding the decisions they made, can really impact positively on others.

    • Photo: Charlie Frowd

      Charlie Frowd answered on 24 Jan 2023:

      There are many careers you can do of course, and I hope that what I do will inspite others to do something similar–study a degree and then possibly do a PhD and teach. It’s a great job!

    • Photo: Lorna Nisbet

      Lorna Nisbet answered on 24 Jan 2023:

      I think it is important to know that not all scientists look the same, and the day to day jobs of scientists are not the same. I think science can sometimes be viewed as difficult and even boring, but that is definitely not the case, science is for all. And hopefully by getting involved in programs like this we can show that.

      When I used to teach 1st year university students I would always get a group who would state “I cant do science”, “Ive never been able to do science”, “dont worry about me, I just wont ever get it”. These were always my favourite to teach because I loved seeing that moment they realised they could. They might not have all gone to become forensic scientists, or even into jobs where they used what I taught them, but they know not to limit their capabilities in the future.

    • Photo: Ray Evans

      Ray Evans answered on 24 Jan 2023:

      To encourage other people into a fascinating field that helps themselves and helps society.

    • Photo: Lorna Dawson

      Lorna Dawson answered on 25 Jan 2023:

      It is important that young people can see the many different ways there are to pursue a worthwhile career and that no two lives are ever the same.

    • Photo: Kate Barnes

      Kate Barnes answered on 26 Jan 2023:

      My route into forensic science was not a conventional one, it took me a long time to discover what I wanted to do and I tried a few different things first. I think it’s important for those making decisions about their future careers to know that you don’t have to know what you want to do when you’re at school or even when you leave, there are always ways into the job you want at any stage of your life and the best thing to do whilst you’re undecided is to do what you are interested in and what you enjoy.

    • Photo: Katy Bruce

      Katy Bruce answered on 2 Feb 2023:

      I totally echo Kate’s comments – I also had a very unconventional route into forensics and tried my hand at many different careers before I discovered that this was what I wanted to do.

      I felt very pressured at school (an all girls grammar) to go to Oxbridge and/or become a doctor, lawyer or vet, and was constantly being nagged by my teachers to write a personal statement and apply to UCAS. I vehemently resisted because I really didn’t know what I wanted to do and wasn’t going to be forced into something just for the sake of it or because it was expected of me.

      It was only 3 years after finishing my A levels that I decided to go to uni, but even then it was on a business degree, but that’s a whole other story…😅!

      You have to follow your heart and do what truly interests you, not what you think you ought to be doing. If you’re enthusiastic about your studies/job, that’s half the battle!

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