Wow, now this is a tough question. But, I’ve been told once or twice that I’m a pretty good science writer, so I’ll tell you how I got where I am today.

It all started way back when I was in high school. A nearby university sent some of its staff along with a mobile lab to visit my biology class. They showed us how to  splice jellyfish DNA into bacteria. The result: the bacteria glowed just like a jellyfish. And, a young girl fell in love with the discovery the scientific process enables.

But, it wasn’t just that. I went straight home after school and told my mom, my dad, and pretty much anyone who would listen all about the awesome things I had learned and seen. I don’t think I realized it then, but I think that’s when I discovered that I loved telling people about science and showing them how it can help better their lives.

Learning the Science Perspective

As I continued my early educational journey, I found a deep interest in the science that surrounds weather. I met a local TV meteorologist, and I learned how he used science to prepare people for the weather they faced each day—including extreme events that could threaten their lives.

So, I went on to college where I studied atmospheric science and dove even deeper into the scientific perspective. I learned a lot about how and why scientists do research and experiments, how they report their results, and how they write for scientific journals.

After I graduated with my bachelor’s, I wasn’t able to find work that really fanned the flame of gratification sparked in me so long ago. So, I embarked on a new educational journey, taking courses in everything from computer art to public speaking to organic chemistry as I looked for the right fit. And, my family and friends regularly accused of being a “career student.”

But, during that time, I was also working with some really amazing scientists doing mostly quality control, which I found quite boring to say the least. But, my work provided me with the opportunity to discover that I was quite good at copyediting—scouring documents and correcting spelling, grammatical, and stylistic errors. So, I began doing this regularly and helped to put the finishing touches on several major scientific assessments and reports.

Learning the Communications Perspective

My copyediting work opened a gateway for me into the world of communication. And, the more I became involved in helping scientists communicate their work through these publications, the more I realized that I still had much to learn.

My previous dabbling in digital media made it clear that the web and social media would be exceptional tools for the future of communicating science. So, I once again turned back to higher education and earned my master’s in communication with specific concentrations in digital communication and public and media relations.

In that endeavor, I learned a lot about the tools available to communicators and the strategic ways to use them. Combined with my scientific knowledge, my new understanding of communication led me to find ways to help scientists translate their work into language more people could understand. Together, we began to utilize tools like the web and social media to get their scientific information and research findings into the hands and minds of more people than ever before.

Playing the Role of Detective

Now, while the scientists continue to do new research and learn about the world around us, it’s my job to play the role of detective. I have to continually hone my skills and make sure I’m aware of the latest tools and technology available to us. I have to know how to use them and whether or not we should use them and why.

When it comes to social media in particular, I like to say that “nobody is an expert.” Businesses, entrepreneurs, and even everyday people are always developing new and innovative tools that rise to popularity—like Snapchat, Periscope, and even virtual reality’s recent claims to fame. And, even the older applications, like Facebook and Twitter, are constantly coming up with new features and changing their algorithms.

The same thing is true with writing for the web and blogging. People are regularly discovering new best practices for content length, design, and accessibility. And, they’re developing new and better ways to both understand and meet their users’ needs. So, to be the best science communicator you can be, you have to continually investigate the latest tools and guidelines to make sure you’re making the most effective use of them.

A Continuing Thirst for Knowledge

Being a good science writer doesn’t stop at knowing the latest tools, understanding a communicator’s perspective, or even learning to think like a scientist. But, much like the scientists themselves, a good science writer needs an almost unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

Every day, I try to learn about all of the science that researchers are introducing to the world—not just what the scientists I work with are doing. I try to draw connections to bring all of this information together, and I always look for methods other science writers are employing that can help me communicate even better.

How Do You Know When You’ve Made It?

So, how do you know when you’ve become a good science writer? Well, I’ll let you know when I figure that out. Despite the praise I’ve received for my work, I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always feel like I’m a good science writer. But, if I were to give you some advice on how to become one, it would be this:

1. Learn to think like a scientist—taking a walk in their shoes can be invaluable
2. Discover how to look at things from a communicator’s point of view—even marketers and advertisers can provide valuable insights
3. Keep investigating the latest communication tools and methods
4. Never lose your thirst for knowledge
5. Be confident in yourself and keep looking for the bright spots of your success

With a little knowledge and whole lot of courage and hard work, you can become not just a good but a great science writer. When someone lights up with understanding after reading your work, you’ll know that it was all worth it.