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People often ask me what my background is. I tell them that I have an MA in English and that I taught technical/grant writing at the university, and that is true. But what is harder to explain is the on-the-job training I had for two years that really cemented my assets as a medical editing and writing consultant. I can look at a study and identify problems with it and make recommendations for how to change it-- or when the project needs to be either abandoned or revised into an essay rather than a straight reporting of study results. I know when a Discussion section is weak, and how to fix it. What I offer my clients is substantially more than a geeky knowledge of perfect punctuation and grammar usage (and my knowledge there is not perfect: I still have to look things up, but at least I know when I don't know the answer, and how to find it).

Last year, I decided to expand my consultancy to include a team. I employed people with similar educations to mine--English-- but what I did not anticipate was how difficult it would be to convey to them what it is I actually do. They lacked the confidence to attack a piece of writing and make all of the necessary changes: They ultimately lacked the Platonic ideal in their heads. I found that I was spending too much time answering questions that I found self-evident or going over their work and finding that they missed essential, tiny details. In all fairness, some of the rigor I employ in my work came directly from being raked over the coals by anal retentive office workers in the research institute. I heavily resented their obsessive compulsiveness at the time, but I have come to view it as truly a blessing now that I had such intense baptism by fire on the job.

For anyone who sincerely wants to pursue a career in medical editing and writing, I would highly recommend taking courses in research design. Consider getting an online Masters in Public Health. Or, see if there is a certificate program you can enroll in in Clinical Research. It will give you the vocabulary, the background, and the confidence to do the writing that will be asked of you. It will save you tears and frustration, and potentially, humiliation. Because if I am very honest about what I do, an ability to write and edit simply isn't enough.