Hi there,
I would definitely recommend that she do an undergraduate degree in a science subject first. Although this will be extremely important in developing her knowledge and skills ( which will improve the sci comm content she produces later on) it also gives her time to.... think.
I studied undergrad Biology and then went on to do a PhD in Microbiology and it was only during my PhD that I realised sci-comm was the real career for me. I carried out a lot of sci comm roles during both my undergraduate and postgraduate but it was only during the last year of my PhD that I started organizing my own events etc. Nowadays science undergraduates are given 1000 and 1 opportunities to get involved in sci comm work and also if she's anything like me, she will seek out fun opportunities outwith University.
This student has so much time to decide her life and career that it is ALWAYS better to start out broad. Who knows what will inspire her next!?
Everyone has that one trigger that pushed them into their career so I think she should keep her options open just in case... she hasn't met hers yet!
Good luck!
Carla
________________________________________
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Williams, Lynda, Springer Healthcare [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 09 March 2015 09:16
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Advice sought for A level student
I would think it hard* to be a really good science communicator if you've never studied science to at least undergraduate level - half the qualification is surely about learning to learn, learning how scientists think, learning how to interpret and critically appraise data and, not least, learning the joy and enthusiasm (and heart break) that comes from studying a tiny area of specialist subject.
And an undergrad science degree is something many (most?) sci comm roles will expect. Employers want to know you can understand the science you're promoting.
I'd advise to go for the science undergrad course that interests her most and take every sci comm opportunity that comes up while she's studying. There's plenty of postgrad courses and volunteering opportunities if she wants to specialise more later.
*but obviously not impossible
-----Original Message-----
From: psci-com: on public engagement with science [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Liz Nicholson
Sent: 09 March 2015 00:40
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [PSCI-COM] Advice sought for A level student
I am a lurking teacher so hope I am doing this bit right! I have a year12 student who is adamant she wants to go into scicomm and who has a strong portfolio already. She is starting to look at UCAS applications but isn't sure whether to go for a more scicomm based degree like Science in Society at UCL or whether to go for a more specific degree and specialise later. her problem is she is so enthusiastic she wants to do it all!.
Thanks for your advice!
**********************************************************************
Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask] with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets)
• set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday) • set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages) • signoff psci-com (to leave the list) • Subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com
Contact list owner at [log in to unmask] Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print
**********************************************************************
**********************************************************************
Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask] with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets)
• set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday)
• set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages)
• signoff psci-com (to leave the list)
• Subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com
Contact list owner at [log in to unmask]
Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print
**********************************************************************
**********************************************************************
Commands - send an email (any subject) to [log in to unmask] with one of the following messages (ignoring text in brackets)
• set psci-com nomail (to stop receiving messages while on holiday)
• set psci-com mail (to resume getting messages)
• signoff psci-com (to leave the list)
• Subscribe here https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=psci-com
Contact list owner at [log in to unmask]
Small print and JISCMail acceptable use policy https://sites.google.com/site/pscicomjiscmail/the-small-print
**********************************************************************
|
