Hi Matt,
In classic sci-com style I'll use the W's
What is important to you?
If it is job security or earning loads of cash - sci-com is not for you!!
Why?
Having knocked out the above two reasons for working, I have to
presume you want to do sci-com because you enjoy it.
So reflect on the things you've done in the past and what you have
enjoyed / hated.
Use that to guide your choices - chase what makes you happy, avoid the
things you hate (as far as possible), volunteer for everything that
looks fun, and do some kind of work to pay the rent!!
When?
Life has a habit of twisting and turning regardless of the best laid
plans. I reckon most people on this list couldn't have predicted their
current position at the point of graduation (I certainly couldn't
have!).
Get a reputation for doing a good job in whatever situation you find
yourself in, be ambitious, try things out, fail a few times, and go
with the flow at least 50% of the time. Life is for living.
Where:
What appeals to you the most? - Academia/universities, science
centres, self-employed, media/journalism, industry, etc etc
As pointed out by other people on this list, the sector you want to
work in will change the type of experience that is most relevant.
Whether that is a PhD, time as a intern, volunteering in a science
centre, etc.
THE QUESTION!
Re: PhD (at last I return to the original question!)
I have one. I find it useful to get past HR when applying to a university.
After that, I don't think it is necessary.
I'm with everyone else on this one (excuse the caps!)
DON'T DO A PHD UNLESS YOU REALLY WANT TO! ITS ABSOLUTELY NOT THE EASY OPTION.
IF YOU DECIDE TO GO AHEAD, TALK TO LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY DONG
ONE AND THEN CHOOSE THE TOPIC, SUPERVISOR AND LAB VERY CAREFULLY.
WHO?
Dr Beange!
I work as a Communications Officer / Science Communicator (two
half-time jobs) at a university.
I wouldn't have got the Communications Officer post without a phd
because I work directly for a Professor on an international research
project. They wanted someone who understood this high ego academic
world!
The science communicator post I probaby would have got with just with
Bsc hons and relevant experience.
EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE!
I did sci-com volunteering/small payment posts for 8 years (during
undergrad and post-grad study) before getting my first proper sci-com
job (that paid the rent!).
I did a PhD in Neuroscience, and my first Sci-Com job was schools
outreach on Renewable Energy and Climate change! It was my comms
experience that got me the job.
Saying that, I have (almost) always worked for universities - but that
is more because it is where my background and experience points to,
and where I feel I 'fit in', rather than because you need a phd for
the sci-com sector in general.
Anyway, thats my pennies worth!
Good luck
Iona
--
The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in
Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
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