What exactly is specific field writing? |
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Specific field writing is writing for, or about, any given scientific specialization. It is as diverse as are the science fields, for there is a need for writers in every one of its realms. It consists of skilled writers who are experts in specific fields (such as medical, nutrition, anthropology, or any other science- or social-science- based genre) that interpret field related information to a certain audience.
The audience may be either professionals themselves, or the general public. The style of their writing depends on which audience correlates with their medium. When the writing communicates within a professional field, the style is elaborate, thorough, detail-oriented, and usually dry. It will use jargon that is unintelligible to outsiders. When interpreting this sort of information to a public audience, a more general approach is taken. Common language is a key element, as well as accuracy, creativity, and human- interest.
The information is relayed through a variety of outlets, including magazines, journals, textbook chapters, manuals, educational materials (i.e. pamphlets, websites), and corporate promotional pieces. The authorship of these materials is the field writers' leading responsibility.
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Job titles for specific field writers: |
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Because the job title depends on the specific field a writer writes for, the possibilities are endless, and new titles are often invented. Here is a list of common titles.
- Health writer
- Health & fitness writer
- Medical writer
- Nutrition writer
- Anthropology journalist
- Media Anthropologist
- Anthrojournalist
- Science writer, specializing in 'x'
- Freelance writer, specializing in 'x'
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What sort of education and experience is needed? |
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There are two general career paths that can get you to specific field writing. The first is to major in the 'specialization' area. Individuals taking this route typically end up in the writing field by accident, upon finding themselves dissatisfied with their career choice and realizing their strength in writing.
The more common path is to major in something writing related (such as Professional Writing, but some choose Journalism or English), and simultaneously minor or double major in the area of interest.
Some writers have gone as far as earning a doctorates degree in their specialized field. The benefits of pursuing this level of expertise deserves to be weighed against the level of time and cost investment it requires. The writers holding a PhD in their specialization are typically the sort who decided to switch careers into writing. This presents the dilemma of having PhD- educated competition in the writing field. There are pros and cons to this; some employers opt to hire non-doctorate writers, because their fresh insight and method of logic when dealing with the material differs from that trained into a doctorate. This difference allows them to view the material objectively. Others prefer the high degree of expertise.
Despite the career route chosen, experience in the specialized field is extremely advantageous. For example, in writing for a medical journal, an editor would have more respect for your opinion and interpretations if you had spent a good amount of time working in a medical- related field. She'd assume you therefore have both a general knowledge of both terms and prodecures, and your own experience to balance your analysis of the data.
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What skills and qualities should a specialized writer have? |
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Professional Skills
- Organized and logical approach to work
- Versatile, with multi-tasking abilities
- Strong sense for newsworthy information
- Strong research skills
- Careful, articulate work ethics, including paying close attention to details
- Clearly understandable and concise representation of facts in writing
- Ability to follow strict guidelines (depending on who you work for)
- Ability to work in a 'team' atmosphere, and collaborate with others
- Ability to meet deadlines
- General understanding of statistical operations
- Ability to work with lots of data
- Problem solving skills
- Networking capabilities
Personal Qualities
- Healthy skepticism
- Excellent communication skills
- Confidence, with a certain degree of assertiveness
- Conflict resolution skills
- Creative
- Resourceful
- Ability to objectively view a situation
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Job Outlook;
Is there a future for specialized writing? |
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To be precise, the specific job outlook for each field of interest depends on factors of that field. It also varies with the specific sort of writing one chooses to do, such as freelance, corporate, or for a magazine. Generally speaking, the constant, escalating research in all fields prevalent of our times, combined with the public need and desire for these research findings, demonstrates an increasing job market for specialized writing. Specifically in the medical writing field, there is an expected 25%-35% growth in employment opportunities through the year 2010 (www.mshealthcareers.com).
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Salary;
What can be expected? |
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Salary varies greatly, and depends on the specific field of interest chosen to pursue. For example, a medical writer’s salary ranges from $35,500 to $62,400, but depending on the employer, a biology writer may make the same or less. Freelancers work on a job to job basis, and therefore their income depends on their skill, and whether or not their work is accepted.
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How can I gain experience as a student? |
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Writing and field experience is essential for resume building as well as personal and professional growth. A good place to start building your portfolio at MSU is to write for any publication possible, such as the Red Cedar Log, Red Cedar Review, Fourth Genre, or the Environmental Journalism Magazine. Ask professors of favored classes if there is a way you can get more involved. At club meetings, ask if there is a newsletter to which you can donate your services. As for your specified field of choice, any related experience is beneficial.
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Testimonials;
Here's what some professional have to say about specialized writing... |
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“…Science writing is indeed a profession full of dedicated individuals doing difficult, painstaking work, and doing it brilliantly. The most accomplished science writers deserve just as much respect as the most accomplished scientists. No one should take this profession lightly, or enter it on a whim.” … “Good work, whether it's science, science writing, or something else, is a great privilege, one of life's most consistent rewards. One of the great virtues of an early career transition is that, with its very difficult, it can help you to appreciate how precious the opportunity is to do meaningful work and do it well.”
-Jim Austin, Next Wave Editor and science writer
"The field of medical writing is very diverse and can include writing journal articles, textbook chapters, research or meeting monographs, educational materials for health care professionals or patients, and promotional pieces for pharmaceutical companies. Medical writing offers a creative opportunity that varies in both content and style.”
-Theresa Vera, medical writer
"As a freelance travel writer, my education in anthropology helps me get beyond the surface to get a more in-depth feel for a place and the people who live there. It allows me to understand the cross-cultural subtleties which impact travel, and to not take for granted things which seem obvious."
-Terry Redding, USF anthropology MA student; Freelance travel and magazine writer
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Here are some useful URLs for the prospective specific field writer: |
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Organizations:
Published specific field writers:
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What might a job ad look like for this sort of career? |
*Word-for-word copies of real job ads are available here
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The content of this page was created by the collaboration of concepts and information borrowed from a variety sources, especially www.mshealthcareer.com/ and http://nextwave.sciencemag.org.
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