: PhD -> Science writer: Solid move? I'm currently working on my PhD in applied physics and would like to get a sense for what the typical career path and background looks like for science writers.

Vote Up Vote Down

I think the only issue here is that you need to make sure you have some solid writing background as well. It's great that you are getting your PhD in applied physics. But if you would like to do writing, then make sure you get some journalism or communications experience as well.
Also, there is nothing wrong with having a PhD and then writing. You can do whatever you want with your life and time. It is common for science writers to have first had work with science, whatever that may mean, before they transitioned into writing. So really don't worry. Just see if you can hunt down the job prospects for this, and get some writing experience.

(0)

Vote Up Vote Down

I think it's going to be tricky without an established background in a scientific field. At the entry level of journalism, you'll be competing against people who want to write - and are trained to write - about the village fair or Mrs. Jones' cat (or similar). Papers and media outlets are going to look for experience in the field before assigning someone the role of science correspondent, and freelance work is as likely to be judged on your background as your writing talent (it's not right, but it happens).

It's definitely worth looking at people who have done similar things, and the work they've done in science before writing about science. You can't go wrong starting with someone like Ben Goldacre, though his family connections - which I'm guessing isn't something you could arrange at this point - won't have hurt.

(0)