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School Subjects And How They Have Been Useful To Me In My Career: A Thread.
I’m a scientcian, so let’s take it as read that A-level Physics/Chemistry/Maths have been useful. Let’s do the rest, retrochronologically in the order I “dropped” them. 1/
I’m a scientcian, so let’s take it as read that A-level Physics/Chemistry/Maths have been useful. Let’s do the rest, retrochronologically in the order I “dropped” them. 1/
A level Further Maths. Ok, didn’t technically “drop” it, but got an E grade. I learned the value of failure, and how it isn’t the end of the world. Plus I knew what a complex number was ahead of all but three in my UG chemistry cohort. 2/
A level music. Real world application of harmonic structures, Fourier series, why a perfect or plagal resolution sounds the way it does. Not to mention continued hobby for well-being and a guitar for my office (not in new office yet) for demos. 3/
A level general studies. Showed me application of school learning in life. And that there’s a lot of interest to be found when you start to combine disciplines. 4/
History. Making arguments using sources as evidence. In research, results on their own are inconclusive, but combine them and you make a case supporting your hypothesis (or otherwise). 5/
Geography. Macroeconomics, supply chains, population diversity and profiles (population pyramids particularly useful in university admissions and course creation decisions). 6/
French and German. I work in an international community; having some understanding of a modern language (however flimsy) helps with my own integration. Plus: early German periodicals in the library pre- international editions. 7/
Latin. Related to my modern language experience, it has helped me in Spain and Italy during conferences. Also, etymology of many terms in science and elsewhere. 8/
English. Taught me the value of literary structures when writing, skills in oration, critical appraisal of work of self and others, importance of correct grammar and need for consistency and how ambiguity can arise. 9/
Art. Taught basics of design, rule of thirds, perspective etc. All vital when doing diagrams or graphics to explain complex concepts. Also: effect of colour on communication. Links to inclusion issues. 10/
Design/Technology. For when I build kit in the labs. 11/
Home economics. I wouldn’t have survived as a student otherwise... plus, cooking for others is a great way to get to know people when you’re new to the group. Also sewing optics cloths for outreach when there is literally no budget. 12/
Classics. Those stories were great, weren’t they? How else could you make comparisons of eminent members of the professoriate to Zeus? Including the, uh, “juicy bits”... 13/
Think that’s it. Basically, my point is that everything I did has helped me in some way. Not every area of every subject, but every subject contributed to my education in some way. So stop with the subject-bashing and trust the teachers. They know what they’re doing.* /end
*even if the department for education don’t.
