To pursue a career in science policy, it is necessary to build an arsenal of communication skills to translate scientific knowledge into governmental policies. This article follows one engineer’s journey into policymaking.
Science policy can be defined in many ways (1–3). Broadly speaking, science policy leverages scientific knowledge through various means of communication to inform and advise governmental decisions. This broad scope is one aspect that drew me to the field; similar to chemical engineering, science policymaking does not confine you to a narrow line of work. One of the many advantages of earning a chemical engineering degree is that it doesn’t pigeonhole someone into one career path. The general training and problem-solving skills, combined with the focus on chemical knowledge, provide a plethora of opportunities to use that knowledge to make a difference. Science policy has a similar broad appeal. Some people within science policy use their scientific background to help write legislation, some use their knowledge to help create or enforce regulations, others help to create informational materials that inform government leaders, and many more work as subject matter experts to help bridge the gaps between the private and government sector.
Today, I lead the office that enhances communication across all 16 critical infrastructure Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs). In this role, I leverage knowledge that I learned throughout my education and experience to inform and steer products and events created for the cross-sector community to enhance security and resiliency, while communicating the concerns of public and private sector partners to the government and vice versa.
This article discusses my path from a PhD in chemical engineering to a career in science policy. It will be especially beneficial for chemical engineering students who are considering a career in science policy, or those early-career professionals who are thinking of a career change away from more traditional chemical engineering roles...
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