Where are You in Your Medical Writing Journey ?

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Transitioning into medical writing can feel overwhelming. There are many types of writing, multiple career paths, and a lot of skills to develop. It can be hard to know where to start next or which step you should focus on first.

That’s why I created the Medical Writing Journey Assessment: a short questionnaire that helps you pinpoint your stage in the transition so that you may focus on the next step. I've outlined five steps below that I believe are key for making an effective and efficient transition.

Five Key Stages of a Medical Writing Transition

Here’s a quick overview of the stages you might find yourself in:

Step 1: Learn the Landscape

Explore different branches of medical writing and identify career paths that match your strengths.

• Insider tip: When joining free communities, look for those with active discussions and opportunities to contribute, not just passive reading.

Step 2: Build Your Skills

Gain foundational knowledge through courses, practice assignments, or coaching.

• Insider tip: Start with short, targeted writing exercises you can actually finish. Completing them is better than collecting endless theoretical knowledge.

Step 3: Create Your Portfolio

Compile writing samples that reflect the type of work you want to pursue.

• Insider tip: Even a small, volunteer-based blog post can be polished to show professional skills if you tailor it to your target field.

Step 4: Find Opportunities

Search job boards, freelance platforms, and network with professionals.

• Insider tip: When reaching out on LinkedIn, comment thoughtfully on posts before asking about opportunities. This increases responses.

Step 5: Keep Learning and Networking

Continue growing your skills, staying current with industry trends, and maintaining connections.

• Insider tip: Focus on trainings specific to your field of medical writing. The value of certifications varies between fields.

Assess Your Progress

 If you haven't already, take the Medical Writing Journey Assessment to see which stage best reflects your progress and what to focus on next.

References

A detailed list of resources matched to each step can be found in the Comprehensive Resource Guide for Medical Writing.

Receive Hands-On Guidance

For those looking for personalized advice, I offer single coaching sessions for $20. Each session includes tailored questions, a detailed email response, and a 15-minute Zoom call. Email me at nhbowens@asapmw.com for further details.

I can also help you build your skills with practice writing assignments through my tiered coaching program.

Collaborate with Other Medical Writing Professionals

If you currently have collaborative projects to offer, submit an application to be added to the Medical Writing Collaboration Directory. You will receive the link to the directory in an email after you are added.

At this time no further people seeking collaborative work can be added.

Stay Tuned

A fully developed Medical Writing Training Resource Center is in development and will include free resources, more detailed guidance, and step-by-step support for each stage.