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.

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."

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."

"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."

Careers in journalism can be rewarding for scientists who have a way with words. Virginia Gewin reveals what it takes to be a scribe.