{"id":99713,"date":"2024-09-21T17:32:19","date_gmt":"2024-09-21T21:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/?page_id=99713"},"modified":"2026-07-27T11:39:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T15:39:06","slug":"medical-technical-writing-communications","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/professional-development\/career-exploration-transition\/medical-technical-writing-communications\/","title":{"rendered":"Medical\/Technical Writing &#038; Communications"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>Introductory resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/itK9G1BOxLY\">What is Medical Writing\/Communications?<\/a> (17-min video).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2fbf5w1COPo&amp;list=PLZC-otPkWVepWpmQIfTNC1lqS-Eb2TTSZ&amp;index=1\">Four types of Medical Writing careers<\/a> (4-min video).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/science-and-medical-writers\">Key characteristics of Science &amp; Medical Writer jobs<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/bu.vault.com\/professions\/technical-writers-and-editors\">Key characteristics of Technical Writers &amp; Editors<\/a> (BU Vault).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full\/10.1002\/fee.1727\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Breaking into Science Writing<\/a>, Smith R. and Reynolds J., 2017, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wrRSPAFddZI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Careers in Science Communication (mostly science writers)<\/a>, 1-hour panel discussion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Venturing further in this career area<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/emwa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/emwa-writing-guide-2023-high-res-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Career Guide for New Medical Writers<\/a>, key definitions, career prospects, medical writing career types, etc., European Medical Writers Association (EMWA).\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/emwa.org\/career\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The EMWA also provides a range of career resources<\/a> to support freelance efforts and careers in medical writing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.amwa.org\/medical-writing-and-regulatory-affairs-exploring-the-two-branches\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Medical Writing and Regulatory Affairs: Exploring the two Branches<\/a>, American Medical Writers Association.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/info.amwa.org\/hubfs\/pillar_content\/medical-communicators-guide-to-regulatory-writing\/medical-communicators-guide-to-regulatory-writing-download.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Medical Communicator&#8217;s Guide to Regulatory Writing<\/a>, American Medical Writers Association.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.amwa.org\/an-introduction-to-clinical-evaluation-reports-for-medical-writers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">An Introduction to Clinical Evaluation Reports for Medical Writers<\/a>, American Medical Writers Association.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/biomedbadass.com\/\">Biomed Badass<\/a>, by Vicky Sherwood, PhD. A collection of blog articles, courses, and a newsletter to help you learn more about the medical writing profession.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/theboldphd.com\/\">The Bold PhD<\/a>, by Gertrude Nonterah, PhD. A collection of career resources for PhDs, and series of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLZC-otPkWVepWpmQIfTNC1lqS-Eb2TTSZ\">YouTube videos to support your transition into medical writing<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Learning by doing job-related tasks<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/\">Intersect Job Simulations<\/a> have been designed by PhDs for PhDs. To make the most of them, please set up <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/smart\/\">SMART Goals<\/a> to perform each simulation in a reasonable timeline. When you have completed the task, fill out the <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/reflection\/\">Self-Reflection Sheet<\/a>, which will help you reflect on what you enjoyed (or did not enjoy) about the simulation, and how it can help inform your career exploration efforts.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Job simulation &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/writing-for-a-clinical-audience\/\">Writing for a clinical audience<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Job simulation &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/writing-an-abstract-on-a-short-deadline\/\">Writing an abstract on a short deadline<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Job simulation &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/library\/writing-for-a-lay-audience\/\">Writing for a lay audience<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Access <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencethroughstory.org\/scicomm\/resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tools and articles on how to turn your science into a story<\/a>, Science Through Story, LLC.<\/li>\n<li>Consider attending a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.comscicon.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ComSciCon workshop<\/a>. Multiple science writing and communication workshops are hosted across the US (apply in March\/April to attend the ComSciCon-Flagship workshop in Boston\/Cambridge in July, or apply in July to attend ComSciCon workshops in other US locations in the Fall).<\/li>\n<li>Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scienceliteracyfoundation.org\/resource-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Science Literacy Foundation&#8217;s resource guide<\/a>, full of SciComm ideas and initiatives you could join or contribute to, to help accrue relevant experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Preparing your transition into this career area<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Connect with members of the following associations:\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amwa.org\/\">American Medical Writers Association<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.emwa.org\/\">European Medical Writers Association<\/a> (<a href=\"\/gms\/files\/2024\/10\/In-and-around-EMWA-2.pdf\">In and around EMWA 2<\/a>).<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.casw.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Council for the Advancement of Science Writing<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/iswainternational.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">International Science Writers Association<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasw.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">National Association of Science Writers<\/a> (NASW).\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasw.org\/awards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NASW provides awards and fellowships<\/a> to support career transitions into Science Writing and travel awards to attend their annual conference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Strategically expand your network:\n<ul>\n<li>Growing your network and <a href=\"https:\/\/intersectjobsims.com\/infointerviewguide\/\">having informational interviews<\/a> with PhDs who have transitioned into careers of interest to you will enable you to learn more about the job&#8217;s daily responsibilities, hiring process, career progression, etc., and the sector as a whole.<\/li>\n<li>Consider connecting with former speakers and members of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sciwrite.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SciWrite<\/a> (names listed at the bottom of the page).<\/li>\n<li>Look for and join relevant thematic groups on LinkedIn, online communities like this <a href=\"https:\/\/writeclinic.com\/medical-writer-magazine\/\">UK Medical Writing Online Community<\/a>, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Look for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/students\/professional-development\/connect-mentors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BU Mentors and Alumni<\/a> who have transitioned into this career area.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thesocialscientist.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Social Scientist<\/a> enables early-career researchers to connect with folks who have transitioned in various career areas, including in communication and outreach.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Learn more about ways to <a href=\"https:\/\/biomedbadass.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/BIM-ebook.pdf?utm_source=sendfox&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=exclusive-access-for-you-break-into-medical-writing-ebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">break into medical writing (free e-book by the Biomed Badass)<\/a>.\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mymedia.bu.edu\/playlist\/dedicated\/207936103\/1_9emp2sqk\/1_2lldbf4b\">Analyze job descriptions<\/a> to learn more about what companies are currently looking for.<\/li>\n<li>Study company websites, follow them on social media and YouTube.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/firstmedcommsjob.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Find First Medical Writer Jobs<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introductory resources What is Medical Writing\/Communications? (17-min video). Four types of Medical Writing careers (4-min video). Key characteristics of Science &amp; Medical Writer jobs (BU Vault). Key characteristics of Technical Writers &amp; Editors (BU Vault). Breaking into Science Writing, Smith R. and Reynolds J., 2017, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. Careers in Science Communication [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20577,"featured_media":0,"parent":99331,"menu_order":12,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99713"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20577"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99713"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99713\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108847,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99713\/revisions\/108847"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/99331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bumc.bu.edu\/gms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}