Starting a Scicomm career...
My route into science communication after a PhD in neuroscience was to follow passions and interests and to then combine that with science... so this began with working for a patient carer group, a scientist, an event organiser and then a film producer who were all passionate about communicating with different publics through a variety of media - lay summaries for the patient group, TV lectures for the scientist, conferences for the events organiser and digital films for the film producer. They all had two things in common - they loved to tell stories and they were talent developers at heart - as in they encouraged and enabled my passion for telling stories too. At university I made films, write poetry (did the occasional poetry slam) and did photography in my spare time.
The lay summaries and conference organising led to working in medical communications for 9 months and the filmmaking and tv lectures led to an art-science communication fellowship which led on to curating a film festival and producing short films for the film producer.
So my advice is to follow your interests if you dare and connect to the people who will help you develop your talent as a communicator and encourage you as you become who you want to be in the world, competitive or otherwise. :)
Seek out or create the environment that will help you to develop - mentors and a network of peers on or offline or a combination of both is a good starting point.
All of the people who helped me at the outset have been fantastic mentors to this day as I have changed direction several times, following new interests, but actually just exploring different media.
Your background - astrophysics - art and TEFL sound really interesting starting points and Korea sounds like a great opportunity.
All the best,
Erinma
m: 07871 030515
http://about.me/erinmaochu
@erinmaochu
> On 2 Jan 2017, at 00:00, PSCI-COM automatic digest system <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
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> There are 4 messages totaling 1089 lines in this issue.
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> Topics of the day:
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> 1. Starting a career in Science Communication? (3)
> 2. [London] Fwd: Young Explainer Volunteer opp. for 16-18 year olds -
> SMASHfestUK
>
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> Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2017 11:19:21 +0000
> From: Stevie Steven <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Starting a career in Science Communication?
>
> Porkies on a cv work well. I don't even have a science gcse o_O
>
> Happy new year,
> Stevie
>
>> On 31 December 2016 at 14:39, Sanjidah Sabur <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>> Hello Psci-commers,
>>
>> I was hoping you could share advice or thoughts on beginning your journey
>> into Science Communication. I am sure many of you have been in this boat
>> and can impart some wisdom.
>>
>> As 2017 commences I will be going to South Korea to teach English for a
>> year. I come from a science background with a BSc in Astrophysics and am
>> also an artist. I have worked as a Tutor since graduating and contributed
>> to the London Branch of the British Science Association. After Korea, I aim
>> to return back home to the UK and complete a Masters (in Sci Com/Science
>> Writing/yet to be decided).
>>
>> Does anyone have any general tips or guidance on how I can improve my
>> chances of landing the (competitive) job I desire or improving the required
>> skills? How should I be filling my spare time?
>>
>> Many thanks and Happy New Year!
>>
>> Sanjidah Sabur
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> **********************************************************************
>>
>> psci-com how-to: Once subscribed, send emails for the list to
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>
>
>
> --
> *Stevie Steven GCSE*
> *@scienceunnamed* <https://twitter.com/scienceunnamed>
>
>
> **********************************************************************
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> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2017 11:37:14 +0000
> From: Francis Sedgemore <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Starting a career in Science Communication?
>
> Add shameless self-promotion, invention of spurious awards, and avoidance of anything with political consequence. That should do the trick.
>
>> On January 1, 2017 11:19:21 AM GMT+00:00, Stevie Steven <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Porkies on a cv work well. I don't even have a science gcse o_O
>>
>> Happy new year,
>> Stevie
>>
>> On 31 December 2016 at 14:39, Sanjidah Sabur <[log in to unmask]>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hello Psci-commers,
>>>
>>> I was hoping you could share advice or thoughts on beginning your
>> journey
>>> into Science Communication. I am sure many of you have been in this
>> boat
>>> and can impart some wisdom.
>>>
>>> As 2017 commences I will be going to South Korea to teach English for
>> a
>>> year. I come from a science background with a BSc in Astrophysics and
>> am
>>> also an artist. I have worked as a Tutor since graduating and
>> contributed
>>> to the London Branch of the British Science Association. After Korea,
>> I aim
>>> to return back home to the UK and complete a Masters (in Sci
>> Com/Science
>>> Writing/yet to be decided).
>>>
>>> Does anyone have any general tips or guidance on how I can improve my
>>> chances of landing the (competitive) job I desire or improving the
>> required
>>> skills? How should I be filling my spare time?
>>>
>>> Many thanks and Happy New Year!
>>>
>>> Sanjidah Sabur
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> **********************************************************************
>>>
>>> psci-com how-to: Once subscribed, send emails for the list to
>>> [log in to unmask] If not subscribed, either subscribe here
>>> https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com or send
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>>> for items to be posted on your behalf to
>> [log in to unmask]
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>>>
>>>
>> **********************************************************************
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> *Stevie Steven GCSE*
>> *@scienceunnamed* <https://twitter.com/scienceunnamed>
>>
>>
>> **********************************************************************
>>
>> psci-com how-to:
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>>
>> **********************************************************************
>
> --
> Dr Francis Sedgemore
> journalist, writer and recovering physicist
> telephone: +44 7840 191336
> website: sedgemore.com
> twitter: @hesgen
>
> **********************************************************************
>
> psci-com how-to:
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> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2017 18:48:22 -0000
> From: Michael Kenward <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: Starting a career in Science Communication?
>
> Spend as much time as possible looking into things scientific in South Korea and sell stories to publications back home.
>
>
>
> No one can in the UK afford to have staff, or even stringers, these days and South Korea is very important on the technology front. You don't even have to put much effort into discovering the latest and greatest. The level of ignorance here is such that simply explaining how things work is “newsâ€.
>
>
>
> A good place to start would be with groups in the UK that have links with South Korea. They can engineer introductions for you.
>
>
>
> In the wake of Brexit, there could be growing interest in UK collaboration with S Korea. One eminent materials research told me that he is already diverting attention from EU deals to arrangements with countries elsewhere.
>
>
>
> Your timing is perfect. By the time you get back, you could have a portfolio of stuff that can sell you to potential employers. You may find that the idea of a Masters goes out the window.
>
>
>
> Oh, and don't stick to the UK media. You might find even more interest in the US of A.
>
>
>
> Good luck. It should be a fun gig.
>
>
>
> MK
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sanjidah Sabur
> Sent: 31 December 2016 14:40
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [PSCI-COM] Starting a career in Science Communication?
>
>
>
> Hello Psci-commers,
>
>
>
> I was hoping you could share advice or thoughts on beginning your journey into Science Communication. I am sure many of you have been in this boat and can impart some wisdom.
>
>
>
> As 2017 commences I will be going to South Korea to teach English for a year. I come from a science background with a BSc in Astrophysics and am also an artist. I have worked as a Tutor since graduating and contributed to the London Branch of the British Science Association. After Korea, I aim to return back home to the UK and complete a Masters (in Sci Com/Science Writing/yet to be decided).
>
>
>
> Does anyone have any general tips or guidance on how I can improve my chances of landing the (competitive) job I desire or improving the required skills? How should I be filling my spare time?
>
>
>
> Many thanks and Happy New Year!
>
>
>
> Sanjidah Sabur
>
>
>
> **********************************************************************
>
> psci-com how-to:
> Once subscribed, send emails for the list to [log in to unmask] If not subscribed, either subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com or send reqests for items to be posted on your behalf to [log in to unmask]
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> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Sun, 1 Jan 2017 23:07:29 +0000
> From: Jo Brodie <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: [London] Fwd: Young Explainer Volunteer opp. for 16-18 year olds - SMASHfestUK
>
> Sent on behalf of... also, happy new year everyone :)
> Jo
> (psci-com owner)
>
>
> -------- Forwarded Message --------
> Subject: Young Explainer Volunteer opp. for 16-18 year olds - SMASHfestUK
> Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2016 00:40:57 +0000
> From: Esther Lie <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> We are still recruiting Young Explainers for SMASHfestUK - a STEM/Arts
> interactive festival based in Deptford in February. Our aim is to
> increase diversity and widen participation in STEM/Arts, with volunteers
> from the local community. Featuring interactive installations, comedy,
> experiments, music and theatre, the festival explores how to survive and
> rebuild society after a ‘Supervolcano’. We recently won theNCCPE 2016
> Engage Award
> <https://www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news/engage-competition-winners-announced>for
> best STEM project, for exemplar public engagement and research. See the
> action from last year's festival on our Flickr galleryhere
> <https://www.flickr.com/photos/30542236@N04/sets/72157665587627752>.
> YOUNG EXPLAINERS
>
> Want to set off a giant liquid nitrogen volcano? Learn about engineering
> and survival skills after a volcanic eruption?
>
> We're looking for 16-18 year olds with a keen interest in STEM/Arts and
> working with the public, who want to gain hands-on experience working
> for a festival. They'll engage visitors with the installations, run
> workshops, and help explain the science and tech behind the events -
> excellent skills to boost their personal statement. Lunch and expenses
> covered, with training and mentoring along the way. Our main training
> date is Sunday 22nd Jan, at the Albany Theatre in Deptford.
>
> Know any groups that would be interested? Please direct them to our
> Young Explainer application form
> <https://docs.google.com/a/smashfestuk.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5tzAm1a8NxJqOGzn9_cA6l6OlgWlkSwsX5VmztiJ51zH1Fw/viewform?c=0&w=1>
> on our website <http://smashfestuk.com/get-involved/>, or if you have
> any questions do email [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>.
>
> Please share with any young people/colleges/community groups that may be
> keen! The YE programme is based on the idea that young people enjoy our
> festival better, when there are other young people facilitating the
> activities.
>
>
> Best wishes,
> *
> *
> *Esther Lie*
> *Outreach Programme Manager *
> *SMASHfestUK <http://smashfestuk.com/> 2017*
> *
> *
> *T: 020 3859 6986*
> *M: 07808148834*
> *
> *
> http://smashfestuk.com/
>
>
> **********************************************************************
>
> psci-com how-to:
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