• Question: what subjects (Other than science) would be good for a career as a scientist?

    Asked by corey james to Aoife, Brian, Conor, Louise, Matthew on 10 Nov 2016.
    • Photo: Louise Mc Grath

      Louise Mc Grath answered on 10 Nov 2016:

      Hi insert name here :D!

      That’s a very good question! Well I think it would vary depending on which area of science you are working on but for what I am doing I think business and engineering/technical drawing might be good subjects to do!

      The reason I say business is because potentially any battery I make I could market it and sell it to other companies, or I could set up my own business! Similarly for anyone who is looking to invent something, business would be good. Plus if you do business you could work for companies as they know you have the business background and the logical way of thinking by doing science! It just means you would make yourself more employable so more jobs are available to you, which wouldn’t hurt!

      I also mentioned engineering and technical drawing because these subjects would give you the ability to visualise things. In my case it would be visualising new types of cells for battery analysis, etc. I didn’t do these, and I really wish I had because I sometimes find it difficult to visualise and draw up plans for cells I want to make, whereas my friend did these subjects and he is well able to visualise things, and to draw up the plans himself!

      Again I think it would depend on the area you specialise in but for me I think business, engineering and technical drawing would be hugely beneficial!

    • Photo: Aoife Lucid

      Aoife Lucid answered on 10 Nov 2016:

      I think (if it’s available to you) applied maths is a good subject to take on if you are interested in physical sciences and enjoy maths! Other good subject could be engineering or technical drawing for the reasons that Lousie mentioned. Although anything you will need for a career in science can definitely be learned outside of school. The best advice is to pick subjects you enjoy but to also check out what subjects you might need for any courses you’re interested in.

    • Photo: Matthew Kitching

      Matthew Kitching answered on 10 Nov 2016:

      Hi Insert name here 😀

      The most important thing is to study things you find interesting! Research scientists tend to have to study one teeny tiny slice of knowledge and learn everything there is to know about it – it helps if you really love what you’re doing (an find it really interesting)

      All of my mentors loved reading (poems, philosophy, literature) because they said it made their brains more flexible and helped them learn how to communicate their ideas to other people better.

      Right now – i wish i was better a art on a computer – some people can make incredible pictures of research. Heres a lady called ella marushchenko who makes incredible pictures of people research to help make it easier to understand. have a look at some of her cover images below 🙂

      http://scientific-illustrations.com/portfolio

      hope that helps answer your question? let me know if you want to know more 🙂

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