If you have a passion for science and strong communication skills, a career in science journalism may be a good fit for you. Ever-increasing advancements in the sciences mean that media coverage of new findings for popular audiences are in demand.

Table of Contents:

• What Is Science Journalism?
• What Are the Necessary Skills?
• Where Do Science Journalists Publish?

Science journalists report news and other information about science to the general public. This involves writing informative and often entertaining summaries of relevant findings, consulting with expert scientists and researchers and conveying the information in ways that a non-specialist audience can understand. The writer must be able to simplify complex ideas and jargon without losing accuracy.

Every field of journalism is extremely competitive, and science reporting is no exception. Getting ahead will require researching the various places this type of writing has been published. The New York Times has a section on science news, and magazines such as Scientific American, Wired and Popular Science include pieces that can give you an idea of what some of the most esteemed publications are looking for from their writers. Remember that you can’t be a good writer without being a good reader.

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Science Know-How

Competency in the relevant topics is essential in all steps of the science writing process. As science writers must possess at least a bachelor-level degree in the sciences, CSET students are already receiving a strong education that will be relevant in understanding, interpreting and communicating scientific ideas.

Writing

Any journalist needs a strong background in writing. If you have an interest in the field of science journalism, consider combining your science degree with a minor or double major in professional writing from Grand Canyon University. The program contains invaluable courses that will give you the foundational knowledge you need for success in science journalism, including Multi-Media Journalism in the 21st Century (ENG-365) and Communicating Scientific Ideas to a Popular Audience (ENG-456).

For those seeking higher levels of education, graduate degrees in science writing or journalism are often encouraged. They can provide students with information on a wide variety of fields related to science writing, including documentary making and news reporting.

Interpersonal Communication

Science journalism frequently involves interviews with scientists and researchers, so well-developed interpersonal communication skills are necessary for acquiring the important information. In addition, experience with networking can help writers form mutually beneficial professional relationships with the scientists they interact with.