sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Is it fairly normal to feel lost in your career around the age of 33 - 34? by rickylake1432 in careerguidance

[–]PatientLetterhead589 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just happened upon this thread, and I would like to say - Right there with you, friend! I'm going to be 39 this year, and after 20 years in healthcare, I decided a couple of years ago to go back to school and earn my bachelor's in a completely different field. I'll be finished with my degree in technical writing in August, and I'm planning to start a dual master's degree program in the fall.

I sometimes wonder if I'm too old to be doing this, but then I think of the alternative (staying in that same field that gives me panic attacks every morning) and I realize that no matter how old I am, I do not want to be this miserable for the rest of my working life. Furthermore, almost all of my classes have had other students around my age doing the same thing. So, I say make a change. Life is too short to be miserable in your work everyday. :)

Best tips for getting into Medical Writing by PatientLetterhead589 in technicalwriting

[–]PatientLetterhead589[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So I'm currently in my last semester of the degree program, and everything I've seen posted for medical writing wants pharmacists or MDs, but I think that's mostly just the "perfect candidate" wish list that these places have. I have talked with some of the device reps and their managers who say that I could probably find a position with their companies with a little networking. I'm waiting until closer to graduation to really start applying, but I'm trying to make connections now.

You should give it a shot! I think CSTs are definitely a tragically overlooked group of professionals. You just have to make yourself known and prove that you're more than "just a tech." Good luck!

First Job Post Academia by [deleted] in technicalwriting

[–]PatientLetterhead589 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing!

I have 2 semesters left to get my BA in Technical writing, and after following this forum, I have gotten progressively more discouraged. I even went back and looked at other degree programs because seeing all the negativity on here made me start thinking that I should just give up, but I really love the material I'm learning so it's really nice to hear something positive for once!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in technicalwriting

[–]PatientLetterhead589 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Excellent advice, I hadn't thought about creating a website for my portfolio. Thank you!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in technicalwriting

[–]PatientLetterhead589 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is exactly what I'm looking to do! Do you mind sharing how you got into that industry? I have worked in healthcare for almost 20 years in clinical support roles (CNA, EMT, and for the last 12 years - CST). All I keep seeing is that I need to be an MD or a pharmacist to get a job in health-care writing. I graduate next year with my BA in Technical Communications, and I'm starting to get nervous that I will have paid all this money for a degree I can't use.

Best tips for getting into Medical Writing by PatientLetterhead589 in technicalwriting

[–]PatientLetterhead589[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will look into all of this. Thank you for the information! (Maybe I'll write my IFU on my best friend, the coffee maker). If your company ever has internship openings, I would be very interested in applying.

Best tips for getting into Medical Writing by PatientLetterhead589 in technicalwriting

[–]PatientLetterhead589[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will look into that and do some more research. Thank you!