B2) Making Passion Projects Happen

Science communication is generally engaging and rewarding, but like any job it can turn into a daily grind. But somewhere on that never-ending to-do list is a different sort of project — one that fulfills the urge to creatively indulge. Trouble is, passion projects are often pushed to the bottom of the list to make room for more dependable, though less fulfilling, work. Sound familiar? How do you change that? And can you handle a creative side project and still pay your bills? While it isn't possible to create a roadmap for everyone, real-life examples of people who've moved their ideas from daydream to reality can provide both inspiration and practical advice. This panel will highlight five successful passion projects and provide tips on getting started, securing funding, balancing workloads, keeping focused and motivated, hitting deadlines, marketing, and more.