Lucy Erickson

As part of the Science Communication team, I think I have the best job. I get to learn about all the great science that goes on in my organisation, and then help to communicate it to the outside world. Sometimes I write blog posts or press releases. Sometimes I commission infographics or videos. Sometimes I work with scientists to help them increase their own communication skills. Every day is different!

To understand the science that is happening around me, it helps to have a background in the STEM subjects. At the Marine Stewardship Council that science is mostly related to fishing and ocean health, so environmental sciences and biology come in handy. Being able to read graphs and analyse scientific papers is also important, so feeling comfortable with basic math is important as well.

A well-rounded science background means you can work for many different organisations, and it’s also helpful when it comes to problem solving and decision making. When I make decisions, I collect as much data as I can. For example, I might use Google Analytics to find out how many people are reading a blog post. Then I try to think about the results that I am aiming for, and the most effective way to achieve them. Once a decision has been made, I follow up to see how it worked, and try to learn from it. I think this data-driven approach to problem solving comes from my STEM background, and it’s really useful in the workplace, no matter what career you choose.

Teamwork and people skills are a big part of the role. For example, Science Communications staff need to work closely with scientists to make sure they feel comfortable with the way their work is being portrayed. However, independent writing and other creative activities are also important.