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Science Journalism

Up to Nonacademic Careers


Science Writing
UC Santa Cruz's one-year graduate program in science writing is "The best academic training ground in the U.S. for science journalists," according to New Scientist magazine.
A Flexible Alternative
Part III of Careers in Science Writing. "If you ask science or medical writers how they got into the business, you'll find that many of them never planned to end up where they are now. Many were science teachers, laboratory researchers, nurses, even doctors. Others began as writers of nonscientific prose and ended up writing more and more stories about science or medicine, slowly building their knowledge of these fields by doing the research necessary to assemble a comprehensive story."
Science Writing in a Teaching Environment
Part IV of Careers in Science Writing. "The gentle knock on the door carried a sense of nervousness and urgency. 'Professor Wallace, can I talk with you?' Looking up from my computer, I recognized John, a second-year graduate student. The year was 1987, and I was an associate professor and director of graduate studies in pharmacology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine. "
Changing Course: How a Failed Chemist Became a Successful Writer
HMS Beagle, Jan 30, 1998
Dr. Bethie, Science Writer
Part I of Careers in Science Writing. "When I moved from practicing science to writing about it, I wanted active membership in two worlds—scientific research and writing. Almost 5 years into the writing journey, I have strong ties in both communities, and I enjoy the synergy between the disciplines."
Biomedical writing
Medical and Pharmaceutical writing are fields which have many more job opening than qualified applicants. Headhunters routinely call my office looking for leads. See also www.amwa.org
You Want to Be a Science Writer? Why? Sciences
Part II of Careers in Science Writing. "Someone recently told me that 'disgruntled postdoc' is in fact two separate words. I don't believe it. With the NIH budget-doubling effort ending, the economy in the toilet, and the pharmaceutical industry in a tailspin, an infamously tight job market is becoming even tighter. Things have gotten so bad that hordes of researchers are now thinking of pursuing writing as a viable "alternative" career."
Masters in Science Journalism at Boston University
"Our emphasis is on the implications of science and technology, and on science in its social, political and economic context. As journalists, we train students to consider all sides of scientific issues, and to write effectively on matters that are of concern not only to the scientific elite, but to everyone."
Dr. Reporter?
Information on the increasing number of Ph.D.s working as science journalists (requires a free subscription to HMS Beagle)
Putting Pen to Paper - love science? hate the bench?!
Careers in journalism can be rewarding for scientists who have a way with words. Virginia Gewin reveals what it takes to be a scribe.