C4) Beat It: To Specialize or Not to Specialize?

Time:
Saturday, October 15th, 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Location:
Wettaw Auditorium
Speaker(s):
Betsy Mason
Douglas Fox
Julian Smith
Michelle Nijhuis
Moderator(s):
Emily Sohn
David Wolman
Organizer(s):
Emily Sohn
David Wolman

Should I specialize? This question matters to science writers whether they're newbies charting a career, vets considering a job change, or uber-vets thinking about the next big project. Beat reporters discuss whether they chose their specialties, or if their specialties chose them, while ardent generalists make the case for casting a wider net. Panelists will then offer advice about how to become the go-to person for certain topics, or how to sell one's lack of expertise as an asset. Finally, an editor weighs in about the pros and cons of working with specialists versus generalists.