Question: Before your career in nuclear fusion did you ever consider another career in game design or engineering around vehicles?

Alistair McShee answered on 25 Mar 2022:

I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to be in school, so yes I tried a few things I enjoyed!

My week of work experience in Year 10 was in the servicing department of my local Jaguar garage, which was very hands on (and messy), but I learned a lot about hard work and important things like the process cars go through on an MOT!

After that I didn’t have a job until I was at university; I decided on physics for a degree because it was my favourite at A-level, and I was curious to learn more about subatomic particles.

During my degree they encourage you to do internships in the summers as a way to try a job with no commitment after, and to earn some extra money – I did one in industry (the company I now work for) and one in the research group at my university and I knew after that where my heart was set, so I applied for a job with my current company for after I finished uni, and I got it!