• Question: what subject that people do in school most relates to the work you do now?

    Asked by Abby to Pete, Philippa on 6 Mar 2015. This question was also asked by Sophie A.
    • Photo: Pete Symons

      Pete Symons answered on 6 Mar 2015:


      Mmmm…good one. I guess it would have to be science, most of the analytical techniques and decision making processes I use in my work have their foundations in what I learnt through physics and chemistry (although I was never that good at Chemistry!). As a safety engineer you need to have a questioning nature and be prepared to do a fair bit of research to understand how you can claim that something is safe, so any subject that makes you question, research and delve a little deeper will all help.

    • Photo: Philippa Jefferis

      Philippa Jefferis answered on 9 Mar 2015:


      I found my maths and physics (the resolving forces) are still things I use in my current job. A lot of my work comes down to force diagrams just like I did in A level physics. The understanding of the fundamental basics is essential to my more complex aspects.

      However, I also have to understand the importance of the world I work in. So having business understanding through business studies or economics.

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