Lutz & Storms. The Practice of Technical and Scientific Communication. Greenwich,

CT: Ablex, 1998.

~ W A N T E D ~

Science Writers

Jobs & Responsibilities:

· Address both nonspecialists and specialists; writing includes not only facts but depth and analysis; need the ability to adapt material to your readers (match-maker)

· Areas of science writing:

Science journalism - writing for the non-scientist;

Pure scientific writing – scientific research articles, papers, and grant proposals;

Writer/editor for scientific publications (newspapers, magazines, encyclopedias,

textbooks, and on-line web sties);

Trainers – helping scientists improve their writing.

Education/Skills:

· Any science courses and English courses

· Computer science, statistics, bioethics

· Experience in any scientific writing area

· Familiarity with scientific method

· Communication – get scientist to explain complex concepts

· Knowledge of where to find research/sources

Salaries:

· Ranges from $20,000 to $65,000 and up. Full-time and part-time available.

Employment Outlook:

· Vast and varied – in industry, media, hospitals, research institutions, and textbook publishing

· Bright future for writers in government, academia, and the corporate worlds; dull future for magazine writers

Writers in Medical & Health Care Environments

Jobs & Responsibilities:

· Write, edit, or manage the publication of scientific manuscripts, articles, books, medical documents; prepare data analyses/summaries

· Conduct interviews with physicians, scientists, technicians, patients, health care professionals; search medical databases

· Areas in medical writing:

Teaching –1) personnel/staff of hospitals about research and reports for editorial or

clinical departments;

2) medical schools and universities;

Writing/editing – 1) medical societies and associations;

2) research and service laboratories;

Writing and compiling health care information for marketing and communication

agencies;

Other prospective employers and medical settings – private physicians and clinics,

medical abstracting services, medical-legal services.

Education/Skills:

· Three types of experience – 1) academic course work in life science, writing, math, and computer science; 2) on-the-job training (internships); 3) professional training and continuing education, which could include certification(s).

· Be an effective oral and interpersonal communicator, logical and analytical thinker, and excellent organizer, independent and cooperative worker, one who negotiates and compromises.

Salaries:

· Entry-level positions range from $25,000 to $35,000, depending on the employer, the nature of the position, and the qualifications of the individual; upper range positions varies more widely from about $60,000 to $85,000.

Employment Outlook:

· Fair to good outlook until at least 2010;

· For good luck, go where the jobs are – geographically on the eastern seaboard; major cities where large medical practices are located;

· For better luck, get practical experience; network with possible job contacts; join professional organizations;

· If you have no medical background or training, starting as a medical editor is easier (plus you will learn more that way).

Pharmaceutical Writers

Jobs & Responsibilities:

· Main work will be to present scientific concepts to target audiences in the form of documents for regulatory authorities worldwide (U.S. Food and Drug Administration);

· Areas in pharmaceutical writing:

Staff positions – (bio) medical writer, clinical writer, and medical editor;

Management positions – group leader, supervisor, manager, and director;

Summarizing clinical results; preparing clinical study reports, investigator’s brochures, annual evaluation documents and studies;

· Articles and reports could be internal (for business use only) or external (magazines, journals, or other media);

Education/Skills:

· Bachelor’s degree in humanities or the sciences; course in life sciences, math, statistics, and computer science;

· Communication, organization, analytical, and computer skills are fundamental;

· Knowledge of governmental regulations, terminology, and guidelines is beneficial;

· On-the-job training (internships)

· Able to adapt to fast changes in the medical content and procedures.

Salaries:

· For writers, $25,000 to $60,000; for supervisors, $50,000 to $85,000, plus stock options and bonuses.

Employment Outlook:

· Rapidly changing environment that requires skill in writing and information technology, as well as the ability to function effectively in teams

· Determine your personal criteria – location, compensation, risk, and type of company

Writers for Govt. & Nonprofit Social Service Agencies

Jobs & Responsibilities:

· Writing articles, reports, and documents for laboratories, field sites, plants, and/or factories; federal, state, or local level; most jobs found in major cities;

· Areas of government writing:

Technical writer/editor – gather information and prepare text for pamphlets, reports,

and handbooks addressing a broad range of governmental activities and research;

Developmental officer – develop campaigns and manage activities and communications

(including formal proposals and reports) to generate support for non-profit

organizations.

Education/Skills:

· Writing and critical reading skills required;

· Oral and interpersonal communication skills are encouraged;

· Experience/internships are considered part of a writer/editor’s education;

Salaries:

· Anywhere from $16,000 to $72,000;

· Depends on department/organization and the importance of the project(s).

Employment Outlook:

· Positions in both govt. and non-profit organizations are competitive; jobs are sporadic and depends on where you want to work and what programs are being created and funded;

Freelance Writers & Consulting

Jobs & Responsibilities:

· Different from above positions in that a person searches for work and payment actively; also must market self, work with a variety of businesses; usually set own work schedule and “place of employment”;

· Areas of freelance writing:

Writer/editor

Consultant

Writer/editor for contract company (an organization that provides temporary contract work)

Education/Skills:

· Knowledge of business operations – both company policies and how to set yourself up;

· Writing and communication skills needed;

· Knowledge of working with a variety of different businesses with different needs and projects;

· Internships and on-the-job experiences

Salaries:

· Anywhere from $18 to $75 an hour

Employment Outlook:

· Businesses are most likely to turn to a freelancer or consultant when they do not have the personnel to do a job in-house; dependent on how good business is going for company/organization;

· Contracts are usually used to make clear what the job is, the responsibilities (scope of work), schedule, fees, and payment

NOTES:

All of the above jobs pay close attention to audience, and all use a variety of style guides suited for the type of documents that are produced in that field (in content and in appearance)