"When I decided to leave the lab bench and seek formal science-writing training, the Santa Cruz program stood out because of its emphasis on internships. I'd been in school for more than two decades, and I was ready to move out of the classroom and into the real world. At Santa Cruz, I spent half of my time interning for a national lab communications office, a TV show, and a newspaper. I immediately applied what I learned in the classroom. When I graduated, I already knew which kinds of workplaces were a fit for me. And I had a large portfolio of clips—key to every writer's resume—including several front-page newspaper pieces and one cover story from a magazine."

—Amber Dance '08, freelance journalist, Southern California

Winner, 2010 Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award, National Press Foundation


"I can't recommend SciCom highly enough for anyone interested in pursuing this career. In nine short months I was introduced to all of the basic skills required to plunge into the world of professional science writing. The instructors and internship opportunities were excellent, and the mandatory newspaper internship was invaluable in improving my reporting and interviewing abilities. We also pitched the articles we wrote in class to actual publications, so my classmates and I left with a great collection of clips. The instructors, all working journalists, and the huge network of alumni were very helpful when we applied for internships and jobs."

—Sandeep Ravindran '11, science writer, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences


"I came into the program with zero knowledge about journalism. By the end of the year, I had the enormously satisfying sense of having learned how to actually do something. Thanks to a well-planned (if intense) curriculum, hugely talented and dedicated (if intense) teachers, and hands-on (if intense) internship experiences, I had learned a craft. I remember so clearly the rush I felt when I opened my first paycheck—a modest reimbursement for my winter-term internship with Discovery News, where I am now a contributing writer. I loved reporting and writing. And now someone was paying me to do it? I couldn't believe my luck. Ten years later, I still feel that way."

—Emily Sohn '00, contributing writer, Discovery News





"The practical experience I gained from the courses and the internships during my year at Santa Cruz were invaluable to starting a successful and sustainable freelance career from day one after graduation. In the years following, I've made personal connections with other slugs, both as editors and fellow freelancers, which have turned into rewarding professional relationships and friendships that help me keep my sanity and my career on track."



—Kendall Powell '02, freelance journalist, Colorado





"I came in to the program not knowing a thing about writing, and felt like I left nine months later with a collection of clips, contacts and solid ideas about how to get started in the business. The program and the alumni network have really come through! Alumni contacts got me my first internship at the American Museum of Natural History (which was amazing), and have helped me with freelancing and job-seeking ever since. I loved the friends I made, the amazing Northern California experience in beautiful Santa Cruz, and the wonderful classes, full of real-world practical tips and assignments that never felt like academic exercises, but good, useful practice."



—Clara Moskowitz '07, senior writer, Space.com, New York


"When I started in the Santa Cruz program, my first internship, at a local newspaper, began even before the first day of lecturers from the teachers. That captures the program's strongest point, in my mind: it's intensely practical, throwing students into writing real news stories from the start. It prepared me perfectly for my work, freelancing for a variety of magazines and websites—and since I love my work, it was definitely a life-changing experience for me."

—Mason Inman '04, freelance journalist; recipient, 2008-09 Middlebury Fellowship in Environmental Journalism (Pakistan/Bangladesh)


"I've been struggling to build a new career since leaving the military in 2003. I'm married to a Marine and we never know where we are moving next, so I hoped SciCom would prepare me for work as a freelance writer. The program's training did not disappoint. Two weeks into my summer internship, I was offered a full-time position as a science writer at the University of Florida—a short commute from the town where my husband and I had planned to retire. There were almost 100 applicants, but the editor was looking for a SciCom graduate. It was a lucky break, but as they say, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."



—Donna Hesterman '11, science writer, University of Florida news office





"SciCom changed my life, opening a world of possibilities and offering me a truly satisfying and fun career that lets me share science with so many people through writing."

—Alison Davis '97, freelance science/policy/speech writer, Washington D.C.


"After years of grad school, I wasn't eager for more schooling. I wanted to get out and work. The Santa Cruz program allowed me to do just that, diving into real science writing at my internship from the first week onward. I got invaluable on-the-job training and got to try out several types of workplaces to see where I was most comfortable. By the end of the year, I had about 40 published clips I could use when job-hunting. I also met and worked with numerous top-flight science writers and instructors, and had opportunities to attend conferences and trainings. I got my first job through program contacts. The 'slug network' truly gave me a leg up in the field."

—Madolyn Rogers '08, science writer, Alzheimer Research Forum


"If you want to learn from some of the best and most distinguished professionals in the field and get a headstart for a career in science writing, Santa Cruz is the place to go."

—Michael Hagmann '98, head of corporate communications, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf


"I have an amazing work-life balance thanks to the SciCom program. I see so many people have babies and then struggle to make a big decision: Do I spend money on high-quality day care, or do I stay home with the baby and lose my professional edge? I didn't have to choose. I stay at home with my toddler while still contributing to the family income and honing my writing skills."

—Juhi Kunde '06, freelance writer for cancer-related nonprofits, San Francisco