Claire Said:

A career in medical journalism?

We Answered:

It's pretty interesting. Go for it. You'll get a success as long as you love your job. And it seems you like it.

I have a friend "almost like" you. She's in 4th year studying pharmacy, but she loves reading and writing so much. So she writes many articles about medicines and people's opinion about medicines.

Bruce Said:

I need some career advice. Please please help! ?

We Answered:

Neuropsyche is a great field ... but ... there is a lot of schooling involved ... for a long time. Can you shadow someone who already works in the field to see if you like it first? Talk to them and let them tell you what the schooling is like? It would help you a lot, I'm sure.

Also - journalism. If you like to write and are good at it, scientific writers are in good demand. Being able to translate the scientific/technical into layman's terms is an artform.

Check out Poynter Online and Absolute Write for answers to questions that are writing related.

I was interested in neuropsyche myself at one time, but I knew I didn't have the $$ for school, I didn't want to go into hock forever and ever - And - I'm a Type B personality. I didn't have the Type A drive that seems to be so necessary to succeed in Med School.

Good luck!

Wallace Said:

Journalism majors?

We Answered:

Journalism doesn't pay well, to start, about 20-30k a yr. And after years of experience, getting the hi-pay jobs isn't easy either. But if you stick around long enough, 10 - 20 years, you might find a job that pays well (50 -75k) and that you really like. But it takes time.

You don't need a journalism degree to work at a newspaper or magazine. So you could always major in something solid -- like a science (biology, chem), education, engineering, etc., fields that are boring but pay well (40-100K yr) -- then get a minor in journalism or just take a few classes and work for your school paper or a small local paper or do an internship. Editors care about only one thing -- "clips" -- that means articles you've written.

If you find you dislike journalism after working in it a few years, you will have something else to fall back on.

First, try working for your high school paper and maybe a local, very small weekly paper. See how you like interviewing strangers by phone or face to face, then having to write about what they said. Once the initial anxiety of trying something new wears off, ask yourself: Do I really like being a reporter?

You could always try editing, too.

Kelly Said:

Medical or Journalism?

We Answered:

Well, why don't you combine the two, and become a medical journalist?

(And by the way, being a dentist or physician is a job that requires LOTS of socialization.)

Cassandra Said:

Can I Double Major and be in The Honors Program in College?

We Answered:

I was in the Honor's Program in college and carried a double major. It was tough but possible.

Lucy Said:

What are some benefits of the career of journalism?

We Answered:

benefits:

- you get an indepth look at the news first
- you get to take home a free paper
- people offer you stuff if only you spill about the anonymous items.

all the other factors you are asking about are in the wind except for people with contracts - either individual or guild - and in this climate are about to come apart.

you are looking at not a recession or depression here, you are looking at a PARADIGM SHIFT. that means, forget as it was, it is going to be substantially different.

and if you are thinking about a career in journalism i would tell you what i would tell anyone who has asked your question over the years

- get a different job.

if you are asking about benefits etc you are not cut out for this line of work.
if you ask about how far an editor would let you pursue a story - well, that's a different matter altogether.