Question: If your weren't a scientist what would you be?

  1. When I was very young, I wanted to drive a steam-train, but by the time I was in secondary school, I knew I wanted to do something science or maths related.
    I have worked as a computer programmer (which doesn’t necessarily require much science background) and I really enjoy that.
    My current job lets me combine both interests – isn’t that great!

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  2. @shannon212 @carlostaylor21 That’s something I think about lots! When I was in high school I had three loves – biology, writing and photography – and wasn’t sure which one to turn into a career. I still love them all too! I think that I have found a way to still do a bit of writing (outside of scientific writing) with my blog, Do You Believe in Dog?, and we use lots of beautiful images on there as well.

    I think I would have pursued a career as a writer/journalist (one who likes taking photos – maybe like my friend Joel Werner, who does a program on ABC called off track, recording audio and taking photos – check it out: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/offtrack).

    Maybe I still will one day! The great thing about our professional careers is that they can shift and change over time and we can take jumps in different directions. Don’t ever feel that you won’t have choices or the opportunity to do something else in the future – there are no rules!

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  3. I used to be a chef so I guess I would have stayed with that if I didn’t become a scientist. I enjoy cooking on weekends but I’m really glad I was able to change careers. It’s interesting to think of the link between science and cooking though. I now realise there’s a huge scientific field which is related to food, although I never thought about it when I was in the kitchen.

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  4. Thats a tough question.
    Being a scientist for me isn’t just about my job its about the way I think. I could never imagine myself ‘being’ something different because my brain always wants to think of things in a scientific way; which to me always means lots of wondering and asking questions.
    In a long break from my work, I became a punting operator. That meant I pushed people up and down a river in a boat, telling them stories as I went. I thought, this must be the furthest thing possible from being a scientist, but my brain and imagination didnt agree.

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  5. Well, if I weren’t an astronomer I would be an archaeologist, but they are scientists too, so that doesn’t count.
    When I was younger, I wanted to be a professional football player, but I don’t have the right body for that (I’m only 170 cm tall and 64 kilos). And when I was about 15, I was encouraged to be a minister, but I didn’t pursue that career.
    To be honest, I am enjoying being a scientist so much I hardly ever think about doing anything else!

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