• Question: If you could have any other job, what would it be and why?

    Asked by anon-255095 on 21 May 2020. This question was also asked by anon-255673.
    • Photo: Josh Wolstenholme

      Josh Wolstenholme answered on 21 May 2020:

      I’ve always found aviation fascinating, the ability to fly high above the planet and travel, so I’d have to say a pilot of some description!

    • Photo: Helen Roy

      Helen Roy answered on 21 May 2020: last edited 23 May 2020 6:20 am

      I think I have the dream job but perhaps I’d be a science story-teller – writing books to share my excitement of our natural world and sharing all the quirky tales different species have to tell… such as an aphid (greenfly) has her daughters and granddaughters already developed inside her – so called telescoping generations…but if that’s too closely related to science then perhaps a ballet dancer (but I really can’t dance!)

    • Photo: Sophie Webber

      Sophie Webber answered on 22 May 2020: last edited 22 May 2020 7:25 am

      If I could sing, I would have loved to have been a Musical Theatre star. But unfortunately, I can’t!

      I also think I would have enjoyed being a lawyer – I enjoy arguing when I believe in something! Plus TV shows always make it look ultra glamorous and exciting!

    • Photo: Jessica Gomez-Banderas

      Jessica Gomez-Banderas answered on 22 May 2020:

      I used to be super interested in musical theatre from the age of about 7 until I was 18 and I performed in lots of shows in my local city. I don’t do it anymore due to having too many commitments but if I could I would love to be an actress on the West End!

    • Photo: Siti Syuhaida Mohamed Yunus

      Siti Syuhaida Mohamed Yunus answered on 22 May 2020:

      A police officer I think. I wanted to be a forensic scientist but it’s hard to get a job in Malaysia

    • Photo: Lauren Graham

      Lauren Graham answered on 22 May 2020:

      If I could be in another job I would want to go back to research instead of being in a commercial laboratory! I miss the experimentation and the process of research. My favourite project I worked on was editing yeast’s DNA to include a sequence that made the yeast produce palm oil like products to stop the need for deforestation to plant oil palm plants. I now work in a lab that tests water samples which is fun but we are so busy that we don’t do much in the way of classic ‘research’ we usually do a lot of troubleshooting with robots/instruments instead.

    • Photo: Charlotte Walker

      Charlotte Walker answered on 22 May 2020:

      Aw thanks for asking Zizi. I would be a gardener. I love growing plants and being outside with my dog. I think gardening keeps us connected to the planet, makes us naturally more sustainable and is good for your wellbeing.

    • Photo: Emily Goddard

      Emily Goddard answered on 22 May 2020:

      I think I’d plan events, like conferences or weddings. I enjoy talking to people and organising things, and having a list to tick off (and maybe a clipboard!). I organised a big ballroom dancing competition in Edinburgh last year, and although it was a bit stressful at times, I did really enjoy doing it.

    • Photo: Mary Gagen

      Mary Gagen answered on 23 May 2020: last edited 23 May 2020 8:45 am

      Rock star. Just kidding 🙂 this question really made me think and I decided that one of the things I love most about my job is that it isn’t really a job. I am a scientist and researcher and teacher and environmentalist and project manager and accountant and presenter and many different things, on any one day. So I guess my answer is, I already am very lucky to have many ‘other jobs’ by being a scientist.

    • Photo: Rehemat Bhatia

      Rehemat Bhatia answered on 24 May 2020:

      I’d love to work in science policy. Or within a charity that advocates for underrepresented groups as a trusts and foundations officer (someone who writes grant proposals and builds new links with others to get money for charities).

    • Photo: Gareth Mason

      Gareth Mason answered on 26 May 2020:

      I would either have my own antique shop, or small cafe…or possibly both combined!

    • Photo: Emily Cheek

      Emily Cheek answered on 26 May 2020:

      When I was really young I wanted to be an air stewardess! But I would also love to be a professional netball player as I have always enjoyed watching and playing the sport and would love to be able to it as a job.

    • Photo: Stephen Kelly

      Stephen Kelly answered on 9 Jun 2020:

      If I could have any other job…

      When I was little, I always wanted to be a Formula One driver, but I don’t even drive a normal car now! It did get me interested in engineering though, which is closely related to physics. If I didn’t do a science degree, I’d have probably done some sort of engineering instead. I like understanding how things work.

Comments

  • Photo: Craig

    Craig commented on :

    I always wanted to be an astronaut and would still love to go to space just to be able to see the earth floating beneath me. More realistically though I would like to be a professional game designer – I already do it as a hobby but it is a very difficult field to get into full time.

  • Photo: Kirsty

    Kirsty commented on :

    I study the atmosphere, but if I could go back I think I’d like to study the ocean, especially Coral Reefs! They are so beautiful and important for nature.

    When I was at school I wanted to be a Vet, I loved the idea of working with animals and helping them. But I’m pretty glad I’m not one, I am not good with blood!

  • Photo: Chloe

    Chloe commented on :

    I really wanted to be a paramedic or army medic, I love helping people and I have been a first aider since I was 13.

  • Photo: Siti Syuhaida

    Siti Syuhaida commented on :

    Police officer, to be specific, forensic specialist. 🙂