Transferable Skills

Communication as a Science Writer in Science Communication

How do you apply this transferable skill in your position?

I communicate daily - whether it's writing a social media post, reaching out to a reporter about a story they might be interested, and my job itself involves communication in writing a wide range of articles for a broad audience.

What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
  • Writing for nonscientists
  • Written communication skills

Interpreting Information as a Science Writer in Science Communication

How do you apply this transferable skill in your position?

When writing a news article about a recent research breakthrough, I have to understand complex and intricate research papers from a variety of fields, and pick out what is newsworthy. Even when writing other pieces that translate a new scientific or clinical finding, I have to interpret the information and translate into something that patients and consumers will care about.

What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
  • Ability to learn quickly
  • Critical evaluation of scientific literature
  • Interpretation of data

Understanding the Scientific Enterprise as a Science Writer in Science Communication

How do you apply this transferable skill in your position?

Understanding how academia operates, how studies are designed, what makes a strong study, how publishing works, publications are deemed worthy within their fields, the kinds of issues that trainees and postdocs face in academia.

What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
  • Broad-based knowledge of science
  • Can identify and manage conflict of interest
  • Demonstrating responsible conduct in animal research
  • Demonstrating responsible conduct in human research
  • Experimental design

Communication as a Manager, Scientific Communications in Science Communication

How do you apply this transferable skill in your position?
Communicating in a variety of different forms to a variety of different audiences is the core of our job, so this aspect is critical to everything we do.
What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
  • Oral communication skills
  • Presenting to nonscientists
  • Speaking clearly and effectively
  • Writing for nonscientists
  • Written communication skills

Teamwork as a Manager, Scientific Communications in Science Communication

How do you apply this transferable skill in your position?

We work as part of larger account teams on all of our projects, so being able to work with others who have different expertise and feed into the larger project is a key part of being successful.

What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
  • Ability to work on a team
  • Ability to work with people outside the organization
  • Providing constructive feedback

Strategic Thinking as a Manager, Scientific Communications in Science Communication

How do you apply this transferable skill in your position?

We are often involved in helping clients plan for the upcoming year and this requires really understanding their business goals, what makes them unique and what's the best way to communicate around key moments in time that's in line with their internal priorities and makes them stand out.

What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
  • Creativity/innovative thinking

Interpreting Information as a Manager, Scientific Communications in Science Communication

How do you apply this transferable skill in your position?

We are often the "data people" when creating materials for data and regulatory milestones, so this requires use to make sure all of our materials are accurate against the information that's being communicated (e.g. a presentation at a medical meeting), but also making sure it's understandable for the intended audience.

What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
  • Ability to gather and interpret information
  • Ability to learn quickly
  • Interpretation of data

Empathy as a Design Strategist in Science Communication

How do you apply this transferable skill in your position?

Being able to understand and prioritize the pain points a user experiences with a process or system is central to design. Healthcare and design are both highly empathetic fields because they are both in service of people.


Communication as a Design Strategist in Science Communication

How do you apply this transferable skill in your position?

Simplifying user feedback into insights so we can then translate that into something we build. Helping folks who are the closest to the problem drawback and see overarching problem areas requires communication skills around insightful questioning and facilitation.

What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
  • Basic writing and editing
  • Oral communication skills
  • Speaking clearly and effectively
  • Written communication skills

How else do you use this transferable skill?
Frameworks

Teamwork as a Design Strategist in Science Communication

How do you apply this transferable skill in your position?

We bring our individual 'work-in-progress' projects to a weekly design team so we can get impartial feedback from teammates to help improve what we are putting together. It helps to surface and correct problems before a client sees it or it goes to the engineering team for a build.

What specific skills are part of how you apply this transferable skill?
  • Ability to work on a team
  • Providing constructive feedback

How else do you use this transferable skill?
Recognizing and utilizing a team members' strengths

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Upcoming Events

Wed
03

Career and Professional Development Writing Retreat

Date: April 3, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Variable, see schedule)
Mon
15

OCPD Office Hours (for Graduate Students and Postdocs)

Date: April 15, 2024
Time: 4 - 5 p.m.
Tue
23

OCPD Office Hours (for Graduate Students and Postdocs)

Date: April 23, 2024
Time: 12 - 1 p.m.