Science Writing: Who, What, Where and How Much Charles A. Goldthwaite, Ph.D. Centenary College October 1, 2004

1. Science Writing: Who, What, Where and How Much Charles A. Goldthwaite, Ph.D. Centenary College October 1, 2004

2. What Exactly Do You Do, Anyway? Science writers create a variety of documents, such as: • Journal articles • Grants and funding announcements • New drug applications • Advertising materials • Continuing medical education guidelines • Conference summaries • Feature stories/ journalism

3. Science Writing is: Focused on clarity Data-driven and supported Generated as a support for a greater cause Often anonymous Science Writing is not: Creative writing, in the classical sense Opinion-oriented A solo effort Science Writing: At a Bookstore Near You

4. Home on the Range:Where Science Writers Write • Pharmaceutical / Biotech Industry • Government Agencies (e.g., NIH, NSF, FDA, DOE) • Academic Institutions/ Medical Centers • Medical Education Companies • Magazines/Newspapers • Freelance Consulting (all of the above can be clients)

5. Getting There: The Big Picture • There is no one required degree to be a science writer. • Science writers have any of the following degrees: BA/BS, MA/MS, PhD, MD, MPH, JD, etc. • In general, a degree in science + decent writing ability is preferable to a background in English/journalism + the potential to understand the science

6. Getting There: More Observations • In general, professional options increase with higher terminal degree (PhD, MD, PharmD > MA/MS > BA/BS) • Advanced degrees in English can be a gray area for some employers • Several US institutions offer 1-year Masters programs in Science Writing (MIT, Johns Hopkins, UC Santa Cruz)

7. Getting There: Masters Programs in Science Writing • Generally, these programs train writers in “science journalism,” mostly for jobs with mass media and science journals • Advantages: great networking, required internships, programs are respected in profession • Considerations: Competitive, expensive (no scholarships), experience is a plus

8. Geographic Considerations • As a science writer (excepting freelancing), you usually work onsite • Most jobs with industry, medical education companies, etc., are in MA, PA, NJ, CT, IL, and CA; a limited number in the South and Midwest • Government jobs are in DC • Mass media jobs often in NYC (Yay!)

9. Show Me the Money General Rules: • The more personal prestige associated with the assignment, the less lucrative it usually is. • Higher pay usually correlates with higher pressure assignments. • The academy pays less than the govt and private industry, for the same level of training.

10. Numbers, Please • Pay varies with experience, degree level, geography, etc. • Many jobs listed on Monster.com give salary ranges • For candidates with doctorates: Industry: $50-90K Government: $50-75K Academic institutions: $40-60K Freelancing: $50/hr and up

11. Getting Started • Writing samples are a form of currency: You can’t have too many! • Start small; offer to write for free in a low-pressure situation (e.g., short blurbs in a local medical newsletter, etc.) • Build networks: Summer internships (often unpaid) get your foot in the door • Interview local science legends (e.g., Drs. Brame, Chirhart, Blakeney, Leucks) for feature stories in The Conglomerate

12. Resources Info, Forums, Job Leads, Networking: • National Association of Science Writers • American Medical Writers Association • Science’s Next Wave Survey of Jobs Available: • Monster.com (keyword “medical writer” or “science writer”)