Question: Is working in a university the same or as exciting as working in a company or independent organisation?

Helen O'Brien answered on 13 Mar 2018:

When I first graduated from University, I worked for Schlumberger, a oilfield exploration company. I worked for various oil company clients at oil wells, providing high tech drilling equipment to measure rock properties as the well was being drilled to be able to steer the well into the best parts of the oil reservoir.

After that, I joined Imperial College.

They are 2 very different places to work. They were both exciting at times, and I enjoyed both. Schlumberger was better paid, but I think Imperial is more interesting for me as it involves some research. We are building instruments for missions that have never been attempted before, so I find if more exciting.