• Question: would you ever consider leaving your job and trying something else?

    Asked by katiem02 to Anthea, Chloe, Kevin, Michel, Sean on 7 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Chloe Kinsella

      Chloe Kinsella answered on 7 Nov 2014:

      I might consider leaving research and becoming a full time teacher (science or biology), or lecturer. But I don’t think I could completely say goodbye to marine biology. With new species and new interactions being discovered every year it’s exciting and it never gets boring.

    • Photo: Kevin Healy

      Kevin Healy answered on 7 Nov 2014:

      I consider it all the time. However I think this is normal for people in early career stages as when you start your career in science there is a lot of uncertainty. This is because after the end of every project you have to find more funding to keep the project and you going (coffee and chocolate are’nt free!).

      But while other careers might pay better or offer a more secure job being your own boss answering the questions you are intrested in and discovering things no other person had known is priceless!

    • Photo: Michel Dugon

      Michel Dugon answered on 7 Nov 2014:

      I had another profession before becoming a scientist (I was a language teacher and cultural coordinator). So I know how it feels to change career. Life as a scientist is not the easiest ever, but it is a lot more exciting than what I used to do! I would have no problem changing job again if I get bored with what I do… but I don’t see that happening any time soon 🙂

    • Photo: Anthea Lacchia

      Anthea Lacchia answered on 7 Nov 2014:

      Hi Katie,
      Every job has its challenges and there are days when you will feel frustrated (doing research isn’t easy!) but I think this is normal. Sometimes experiments don’t go as planned, or you don’t find the fossils you are looking for, for example. But if you’re interested in the animals you are studying, or whatever topic it is you are researching, then I believe it is all worthwhile in the end! 🙂

    • Photo: Sean Kelly

      Sean Kelly answered on 8 Nov 2014:

      I have considered it and regularly think about it, but that’s not a bad thing. I think it’s always important to keep your opportunities open so that if you wanted to change jobs, you could. Finding a job as a scientist doing research can be very difficult as there is a lot of competition. However, if you can get one of these jobs, they are hugely rewarding and enjoyable. I’m going to try to keep working in scientific research but if I can’t, I would happily teach, work with conservation groups, do environmental work or lots of other jobs. The great thing is that when you study science, you gain a lot of skills that are really useful in loads of different jobs.

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