• Question: Is it possible to change the area of science that you are working in easily or would you have to go through some more education first?

    Asked by Clint to Liz, Beccy on 21 Jun 2017.
    • Photo: Rebecca Corkill

      Rebecca Corkill answered on 21 Jun 2017:

      I am currently in a PhD so I am a student- so still in education. However, I feel that any work I get published would contribute to the overall knowledge in my area, and can help fellow scientists with their problems.

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 21 Jun 2017:

      Depends on how big of a change.

      I could switch from statistical epidemiology into quantitative ecology without more education. Through collaborations I could gain complementary skills like economic modelling and then eventually do my own health economics.

      I couldn’t suddenly become a physicist or chemist 🙂

    • Photo: Liz Buckingham-Jeffery

      Liz Buckingham-Jeffery answered on 21 Jun 2017:

      Hmm, I think for me it might be reasonably easy to switch to a different area in science. That is because I, basically, apply maths to problems. And there are lots of different problems (diseases, finding planets, running business more effectively, …) that all use the same kind of maths! And because I have a good maths education I would just need to learn about the different problem area.

      Also, because I am still quite young and don’t have kids to support and I don’t own a house it feels like it would be easier for me to take a risk and switch jobs compared to someone with more responsibilities.

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