Success Stories
Marianne English
Grady College & Franklin College: May 2010
Science Communicator at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery
While studying at UGA, I realized I wanted to write professionally about science. Because no formal undergraduate specialty existed at the university, I synthesized my interests in biological anthropology and journalism to create my own career track. Although my career path differed from those of most journalism students, I was impressed with the Career Center's ability to help undergraduates pursuing interdisciplinary careers. I sought every opportunity I could find, ranging from writing about research for The Red & Black student newspaper to working with monkeys at Zoo Atlanta, and participating in Discovery Communications' Campus Connections Internship Program at the website HowStuffWorks.com in Atlanta. During my fourth year at UGA, I applied to master's programs in science writing to further my specialty before entering the field full-time.
I received my master's degree in science writing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked for a range of media outlets, including Discovery Channel, HowStuffWorks.com and WABE radio, Atlanta's NPR affiliate. I'm now employed as a science writer for the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, a non-disciplinary research institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Career Center heavily influenced my professional development as an undergraduate. Whether I needed cover letter tips before applying to an internship program or asked for considerable proofreading for my graduate school admissions essays, UGA Career Center Career Consultants supported me every step of the way.