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 no later than August 31, 2020. This 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
- 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
- Refine and expand list of sources
- Find contact information for potential content experts (scientists/researchers)
- 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
- Post-Boot Camp
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- Maintain constant communication with Comms Mentor
- Schedule regular work sessions with Comms Mentor
- With guidance from Comms Mentor:
- Conduct interview(s) with content expert(s) – scientists/researchers
- Decide on story format; news; blog; Q&A; hybrid
- Write first draft; review organization, word choice, etc.
Deadline: no later than August 14 - Rewrite; rewrite; rewrite
- Submit second draft to Comms Mentor
Deadline: no later than August 19 - Polish and submit final story to Comms Mentor
Deadline: no later than August 31
STUDENT EDITOR
As a member of the cSw Editorial Team, each staff 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 a Tentative Publication Schedule (Sept–June)
Deadline: No later than August 31 - Fact check, proof, copy and content edit team stories
- Coordinate with Creative Team (CT) for graphics
Deadline: No later than 2 weeks prior to Pub Date - Develop key words for each story
- Develop summaries for each story (300, 250 and 156 characters)
- Collect and submit all elements of final story to Chief Editor
Deadline: No later than 1 week prior to Pub Date - Help promote the cSw program as well as all cSw stories
- Consult with Chief Editor to:
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:
- Schedule monthly web conference to brainstorm ideas for graphics
- Collaborate on refining and enhancing story images
- Coordinate with Story Editor re: submission of graphics
Deadline: No later than 2 weeks prior to Pub Date - Help promote the cSw program as well as all cSw stories
- Consult with Creative Team Manager to:
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
- Consult with Social Media Manager to:
- Search for, comment, and tweet about current research advancements or breakthroughs for every topic selected by a cSw author
- 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, and LinkedIn.
- Consult with Social Media Manager to:
Ready to apply? See program overview and apply here.