Are you a person who is always curious about the fascinating world of science? Do you like explaining things, especially about science, to people? Is writing your passion? If your answers are yes to these questions, then you might want to consider yourself for a career in as a science writer. Read on to find out to know exactly what science writers do, and how you could make a career as a science writer.
Types of Science writers & What they do
Science writing is broadly of two kinds – journalism based and another, public relations (PR). In scientific journalism, the main focus is on writing articles and books about the latest discoveries and studies for general public. As in the name of designation, a science “journalist” could work for science-based media outlets like American Scientist, or could work for the science division in any other media. Freelancing for different clients is also another option as well.
Right Skill = Bright Future
Science writers who write for public relations work with non-media outlets like journals, laboratories, government organizations, and research institutes. They might write press releases, update websites, or design promotional brochures about research going on in the associated research institute.
Another more technical science writing is medical writing. Medical writers work for pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs) or communications agencies. Their main focus is documentation of research results or new products, and writing about the same for general public. Other general responsibilities of science writers include taking interviews of scientists, researchers and industry experts, attending and reporting about academic conferences, and visiting research institutes to gather information.
Qualifications Needed
In general, there are two ways you could become a scientific writer –
- Graduate in a science subject and then transition into science writing
- Do a journalism degree and then further specialize in scientific writing.
Either way you choose to become a science writer, the most important thing to get opportunities and succeed is to have the right writing skills. For that, you need to do some groundwork.
Groundwork
Before you jump into a career in science writing, you should do your homework first. This includes doing things like starting your own blog, connecting with other science writers, publishing your writing in platforms, doing any internships in scientific communication firms.
Read like a science writer
A regular habit you should develop is reading the kinds of literature pieces you want to write – these may be science articles, book reviews, press releases, books, anything. And it’s just not about reading – you should read like a writer, try to understand how the piece is structured, how the author made an effort to make it seem interesting, where the facts are stated, how they are presented.
Start your own blog
A blog is important because it makes a portfolio ready for you to present to your potential employees. Knowing and networking science writers who are in the field already gives you a chance to learn tips, insiders and first-hand advice about what and what not to do.
Try to publish
Publications add on to your portfolio. Recruiters usually prefer candidates with publications, over ones who don’t have any. Don’t be too particular where and how your first is published. Over time, you’ll eventually get better opportunities. When you’re starting off, try contacting editors for smaller articles, like blurbs of 300 to 500 words, because they are usually easily assigned to fresh, novice writers.
Apply for internships
Internships let you understand the pulse of the career, and add to your experience, so later you could apply for more permanent positions.
Learn to pitch
One more crucial skill needed for a science writer is pitching. When you write to an editor that you want to write about a specific topic or post, you need to send a pitch. A pitch is a description of why it should be given to write about something, and why it should be published. Basically, it is a mail to persuade the editor to let you publish in their outlet.
As the old saying goes, “the pen is mightier than the sword” When you become a science writer, you’re on an important mission to make the world a better place by dissipating knowledge for the world to know. There’s no exact path to becoming one, but all science writers speak the same language – science.