Emaan Ahmed

September 6, 2019

Science Writing

Research Assessment #1

To start off my research into the field of science writing, I decided to start with the basics

and clearly define for myself the essentials of being a science writer. I used the resources

provided by the​ Council for the Advancement of Science Writing​ on their website, in “A Guide

To Careers in Science Writing”. The first page explains what science writers are, as well as some

distinctions between different types, such as science journalists and science public information

officers (PIOs). The fourth page “How Much Money Do Science Writers Make?” answers

important questions regarding the lifestyle and salary range to be expected within the field.

Finally, the page “How Do I Get Started in Science Writing?” provides information on how to

break into the field while in college, and which skills and experiences to cultivate to become the

best possible candidate to science journals and organizations.

Through this website, I learned quite a bit about the fundamental steps and resources

necessary for complete amateurs like me to start planning out their careers within the science

writing field. I found it interesting that despite being a pretty niche field, there is still variation

between science writing careers. Science journalists are more closely aligned to pure journalism,

working with newspapers and media outlets, while PIOs act more as Public Relations

representatives for corporations and organizations. I am definitely not going to consider

becoming a PIO, as I value the writing aspect more than the media aspect; I will continue down

the path of a traditional science journalist.

Through the detailed descriptions of the minutiae of a science writer’s life, I more clearly

understand the life that would await me were I to fully embrace the lifestyle of a science

journalist. The page detailing the salaries of a science writer was interesting for me to

contemplate, since I now know not to expect huge sums of money for my work in the future.

Although the salary range varies quite a bit, it does not go up as high as it would in more

conventional fields like engineering. Science writing is a generally underappreciated career that

requires a huge amount of hard work, but I believe that I am passionate enough about the cause

to bear that burden. However, I am considering continuing work as an engineer as a

supplemental career, should it turn out to be that my science writing cannot support me.

The page I was most interested in was the last one, detailing the possible paths to follow

to break into the science writing field and kickstart one’s career. It reinforced what I already

learned I would have to do from my Science Writing course instructor: that obtaining a degree in

STEM can be useful for aspiring science writers. Most science journalists have a Master’s

Degree in either journalism or STEM, but it is also important to have courses that complement

the major, pairing a STEM degree with journalism courses and vice versa. Since I am planning

on majoring in Engineering as an undergraduate, I am perfectly content with getting a STEM

degree, and I am also planning on taking proper journalism classes once I get started in college.

During and after college, it is wise to find internships or jobs at local media outlets, as many

novices start off in the field as general reporters, and specializing in science as they gain

experience. It suggests joining the National Association of Science Writers as a student member,
which would provide me with many valuable benefits and opportunities. Many of the advice

provided here is for college students, which vexes me a bit, as I would like to know how I can

get started right now. Nevertheless, what I learned from this website will no doubt help me in the

future, and right now allows me to plan out the course of my college career, assuaging many of

my earliest worries about being directionless in college.

Citation

“A Guide to Careers in Science Writing.” ​Council for the Advancement of Science Writing​,

CASW, 7 Feb. 2012, casw.org/casw/guide-careers-science-writing. Accessed 6 Sep 2019.