Resources

cSw Position Descriptions

STUDENT WRITER

With guidance from a professional Communications Mentor, each staff writer will research, write and submit one story about his/her topic during the summer. The story must be written in a clear and compelling way, using language that is accessible to the average reader with little or no understanding of biomedical science. Length: Between 500 and 750 words.

Responsibilities:

• Pre-Boot Camp – independent work
  • Select topic from pre-approved list
  • Develop list of credible sources, including peer reviewed journal articles
  • Identify a list of scientists/researchers (content experts) with relevant expertise
  • Read as much about topic as possible; consider various story angles
• Boot Camp – attend 5 day boot camp
  • Refine and expand list of sources
  • Find contact information for potential content experts (scientists/researchers/patients/other)
  • Develop outreach strategy to content expert(s); craft interview questions; explore storylines
  • Skill-building; practice developing elements of a well-crafted science story
  • Conduct mock interviews
  • Formulate and write short practice articles
  • Get to know other writers in your class
  • Meet your mentor, team editor and graphic designer  
  • Build your professional network by connecting with peers, program faculty and mentors and guest speakers               

• Post-Boot Camp – work with professional science communications mentor   
  • Maintaintain constant communication with mentor
  • Schedule regular work sessions with mentor
  • With guidance from mentor:
    • Conduct interview(s) with content expert(s) ­– scientists/researchers/patients/other
    • Decide on story angle
    • Write first draft; review organization, word choice, etc.
  • Rewrite; rewrite; rewrite. Submit drafts to mentor
  • Polish and submit final story after approval by mentor
    Deadline: no later than August 30
  • Help promote the cSw program as well as all cSw stories

STUDENT EDITOR

As a member of the cSw Editorial Team, each team editor coordinates communications for a team of writers and designers; polishes up to 5 stories for publication; prepares final submission of each story for publication. Editors should have gone through the program as a writer before being considered for an editor role.

Responsibilities:

• Boot Camp 
  • Get familiar with each writer’s topic
  • Participate in skill-building and special editing sessions
  • Practice lessons in high-level review, fact checking, content editing, copy editing
• Post-Boot Camp
  • Consult with Chief Editor to:
    • Conduct high level review of stories to determine readiness for publication
    • Establish cSw Publication Schedule (Sept–June)
    • Fact check, proof, copy and content edit team stories
  • Coordinate with Creative Team for graphics
  • Help develop key words for each story
  • Attend regular editor and cSw editorial team meetings through the upcoming academic year
  • Meet with writers to discuss edits proposed
  • Help promote the cSw program as well as all cSw stories

STUDENT GRAPHIC DESIGNER

As a member of the cSw Creative Team, each graphic designer works collaboratively to create or source appropriate graphics for stories.
Responsibilities:

• Boot Camp 
  • Get familiar with each writer’s topic
  • Participate in skill-building and special design sessions
• Post-Boot Camp
  • Consult with Creative Team Manager to:
    • Be aware of the story publication calendar
    • Work with your writers to develop cover art (feature image) and body art (infographic)
    • Attend regular meetings/training sessions throughout the upcoming academic year
    • Brainstorm ideas for graphics with fellow designers at meetings or on Slack
    • Collaborate on refining and enhancing story images
    • Submit graphics at least two weeks before publication date
    • Help promote the cSw program as well as all cSw stories

STUDENT SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

As a member of the cSw Social Media Team, each coordinator collaborates to promote both the cSw program and each story via social media platforms.

Responsibilities:

• Boot Camp 
  • Get familiar with each writer’s topic
  • Participate in skill-building and special social media sessions
  • Promote Boot Camp in real time
• Post-Boot Camp
  • Attend training sessions/regular meetings throughout the upcoming academic year
  • Consult with Social Media Manager to:
    • Create content for each story. This may include introducing the author, announcing the story and promoting various aspects of the cSw program
    • Search for, comment, and tweet about current research advancements or breakthroughs for every topic selected by a cSw author
    • Seek ways to increase engagement with posts. This many include tagging/mentioning authors, mentors, content experts, relevant associations and societies, etc.
    • Work with team mentor, manager and other coordinators to develop social media plan
    • Implement social media plan developed by Social Media Team
• Post-Publication
  • Implement a strategy for promoting each story
  • Maintain a lively presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tik Tok and other platforms.

Ready to apply? See program overview and apply here.