Naturally I endorse Sallie's and Frank's comments. If you have enthusiasm
and energy, and are willing to take the initiative, the sky's the limit. And
although the job we're offering at Weidenfeld and Nicolson has an
administrative component, it is very much an editorial role carrying a great
deal of responsibility. It may be a starting position, but it's one of the
best ways of getting the initial experience that's needed for progress in
this business. And people do move upwards. That's why I'm looking for a
replacement.

Incidentally, I started my science publishing career at Nature over ten
years ago as a lowly subeditor. Despite the derisory salary, I wouldn't have
given up the job for anything.




-----Original Message-----
From: Burnet, Frank [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2001 2:41 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Careers in science communication (RE: Publishing vacancy)


I also frequently get asked how to get into science
communication. The great majority of my enquirers used
to mean they fancied themselves as science writers.
However, I have noticed a trend towards interest in work
that involves the public directly.

My advice usually is:

Find some way of building up a portfolio of
activities/ published articles

Don't be too sniffy about the level at which you start. The
rate of job turnover in most of the potential employer
organisations for science communicators is such that once
you are in and show yourself to be competent and creative
you are likely to rise up the pecking order fairly swiftly.

Don't be afraid to make unsolicited applications to
organiisations you fancy working for. The worst that can
happen is that you will hear nothing and it's surprising
how often such unsolicited applications find their way into
the hopper of the job filling machine.

I realise this must be a very partial list so thought it
might be a good idea to get other people's input and then
find ways of making the collected thoughts available to
those who might need them.


On Thu, 23 Aug 2001 14:10:34 +0100 Michael Kenward
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> case!  And if anyone does know an easy route to wealth in the science
> communication field then do please pass on the info - and maybe just reply
> to
> me and not the list - I don't want everyone to know!
>
> -----End Quoted (and cut) Message-----
>
>
>
> Please do reply to the list. I know someone who is seeking just this
> information.
>
> Last week I received a message from someone, who clearly does think I may
> have a little experience in this area, asking me how he could convert his
> MSc, which included a final year in science communication, into a career
in
> this business.
>
> While this wasn't exactly the line in the message I received, my first
> surprise is that people see these courses as a way into the profession.
>
> Do these courses in science communication really aim to be vocational,
> passing on the skills needed to carry out a job? Or are they 'conceptual'?
>
> As each area of the business - magazines, broadcasting, books, PR, museums
> etc - needs different skills, I find it hard to believe that one course
can
> cover all aspects in any depth. Perhaps I am wrong.
>
> My other concern for anyone trying to make a career change break to break
> into this business is the dreadful salaries that beginners are offered.
> Which is where the book ad came in.
>
> Pay is notoriously poor in Book publishing and is not a lot better
> elsewhere. It is also something that has not, as far as I can remember,
> cropped up here before. Perhaps that is because everyone is so coy, and
> leaps back in horror when someone blunders in and asks why a job ad misses
> out the most important, for many, piece of information.
>
> Perhaps I should try to assemble some numbers for the relevant bit of the
> ABSW's web site.
>
> MK
>
> _______________________________________________________________________
> Michael Kenward           /      Phone: +44 (0)1444 400568  Fax: 401064
>                          /
> Science Writer & Stuff  /           Genetically modified words for sale

----------------------------------------
Dr Frank Burnet MBE
Graphic Science at UWE
Faculty of Applied Sciences
UWE
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol
BS16 1QY

e-mail [log in to unmask]
tel +44 (0)117 344 2839
fax +44 (0)117 344 3919
mobile 07881 580523


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