sciecne, jobs and the future

James Ward was the guest lecturer on November 29^th and came to talk to us about his own experience future job markets. James was a guy full of energy and character, he had a confidence that reflected his experience which helped create an interesting talk.

He began by talking about his hero James Joule who was from Salford and was educated as a physicist. Joules researched heat and his work contributed to the laws of conservation and thermodynamics, Joules is a celebrated scientists who has had a unit named after him that measured the exchange of energy when gravity is applied to it. James encouraged us to think about what we would like in life from his perspective you can be a driver, passenger and baggage. This is an analogy to the type of person you will be in life, baggage is the person who is lead or carried. Passenger is someone who follows and finally a driver is someone who are well motivated, takes control of their life a try their best to get what they want. In knowing this we can recognise our own strengths and weaknesses and if were motivated enough change this so we can get what we want in our life.

He was very encouraging in promoting STEM and how it is important that we encourage the next generation and teach them if we want the health, technological and social benefits that science offers. He emphasised that there is a desperate need for more teachers in science and that it is very rewarding and there are significant financial incentives available.

Moving on to social development he shown us technology from when he was younger like Irons that were placed over fires to heat them or and a washing dolly that was used to clean clothes manually which was time and energy consuming. He then compared this to today’s washing machine that can wash 9 kilo’s in 1 hour to show how much technology has changed since he was younger.

He then told us about his education and how he was lucky and smart enough to be selected to a better school then what was open to many people his age at that time and that he has chaired various organisations and charities that has worked with communities and government to help shape the how policy towards science is developed.

He talked about the Salford quays as an example of how society and work demands changes over time. In the past the quays were used as docks that received goods from the ports at Liverpool bringing in international goods. After the use of canals for transporting goods had stopped the docks became obsolete to faster methods and the industry declined and jobs were lost. Though this is unfortunate he said that this was not the end but a change and that the area was redeveloped for leisure and is thriving now as it is the location if the media city.

I found James to be a great example of someone with a strong and positive outlook on society. Though I would have a more cynically view on things his encouraging nature was very encouraging and I respected his experience and intelligence. Above all I enjoyed that he was telling us to push ourselves for the better and for the things we want in life and that we should always engage by joining societies like the British science association and taking part in STEM and finally to really fight for what we want in our careers.