TIBBS Career Blitz Career Profile Questionnaire

Career Profile for Robin Arnette, Ph.D.:

What is your current title and how long have you worked in your current job?

I am a Science Writer and Editor. I have worked at NIEHS for 9 years.

Where did you get your PhD and what discipline was it in?

I received a Ph.D. in biology with special emphasis on biochemical and molecular parasitology from The University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio.

Did you do a postdoc?

I was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. During my time there, I received a Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Fellowship.

What are your main daily responsibilities?

My duties include updating web content; developing flyers, pocket cards, and other promotional materials for clinical research studies; developing press releases; managing national and international media inquiries; conducting media preparation sessions with NIEHS scientists; reviewing and summarizing scientific manuscripts; writing, producing, and directing NIEHS science and health videos; and writing and editing articles for the Environmental Factor, the NIEHS newsletter.

What are the keys to success in your career field?

One key to success is to never stop writing. The more you write, the better you will become. Also, attend science writing workshops to learn how the more seasoned writers do their job.

What were the most important factors in choosing your career path?

I wanted a career that allowed me to stay up-to-date with the latest scientific discoveries, but also allowed me to have a more flexible work schedule.

What activities (if any) did you participate in that helped you be successful in obtaining your job?

Before I finished my postdoc, I volunteered to write for various websites. Having a portfolio of “clips” or examples of my writing made me an attractive candidate for a science writing position.

What 1 or 2 pieces of advice do you have for people who want to land a job like yours?

To land a job like mine, you should love science, and really enjoy explaining the inner workings of research to a general audience.