Technical Editor
Posted on: 2011-04-05
RACHEL A. PETKEWICH
Albany, NY Area (Capital Region)
EDUCATION
M.A., Writing (Science & Medical Concentration), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 2006
B.S., Chemistry (Writing Minor), Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, 1999
WORK EXPERIENCE
The Shaw Group, Inc., Concord, CA 7/2009–3/2011
The Shaw Group is a worldwide provider of engineering, construction, technology, remediation, and support services for federal, state, and commercial clients.
Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc.
Technical Editor, Applied Science & Engineering Group
- Content-editing of technical presentations and documents for technical and general audiences such as proposals, work plans, final reports, standard operating procedures, fact sheets, and marketing materials
Accomplishments:
- Created a process for document planning, technical review, tracking, and production
- Initiated weekly writing tips by e-mail and monthly seminars on writing skills for scientists, engineers, and project managers
- Revamped content for a set of 30 marketing flyers about remediation technologies
American Chemical Society (ACS), Washington, DC 3/2001–5/2009
ACS is a Congressionally-chartered, independent membership organization of professionals in chemistry and related fields and publisher of C&EN, ES&T, and Analytical Chemistry.
Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN)
Associate Editor, Science/Technology/Education, West Coast News Bureau, Oakland, CA 2008–2009 and Washington, DC, 2007–2008
- Researched, reported, and wrote news, cover stories, and feature articles for a weekly print newsmagazine with audited circulation of 160,000 and the magazine’s online formats
- Created approximately 55 magazine pages of stories with additional web content annually
- Beat included general chemistry, education, geochemistry, chemical oceanography, and atmospheric science
- Helped set up the Oakland office with two other field staff writers
Responsibilities included:
- Pitching story ideas to editors and arranging interviews with scientists, engineers, and other experts in academia, government, and industry around the world
- Collecting graphics, images, or videos; photographing shots personally; or working with a photographer to illustrate stories
- Fact-checking own stories and working with multiple editors
- Traveling to and reporting from scientific conferences and research facilities
- Monitoring scientific journals and web resources
Chemical & Engineering News
Assistant Editor, ACS News & Special Features, Washington, DC, 2005–2007
- Wrote employment articles and ACS-related news and feature stories
- Participated in writing the magazine’s first official blog
- Initiated and helped write and edit a series about standing ACS-related committees
- Chaired the magazine’s annual editorial advisory board meeting planning committee
Responsibilities included:
- Lead role for obituaries and scientist job status pages
- Contributed stories to business, government, and science departments of magazine
Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T)
Senior Associate Editor, Washington, DC, 2004–2005
Associate Editor, Washington, DC, 2002–2004
Analytical Chemistry and ES&T
Assistant Editor, Washington, DC, 2001–2002
- Wrote and edited journalistic news and feature articles for the print magazine and online sections of peer-reviewed research journals published semi-monthly
Responsibilities included:
- Reviewing layouts and releasing magazine sections for web and print
- Pitching stories and covering press events and international scientific meetings
- Inviting, processing peer review, and technically editing features written by scientists
- Running news assignment meetings with freelance and staff writers
- Managing copy flow between writers, editors, and copy editors and frequently communicated with design staff regarding graphics, layouts, and covers
Freelance Writer 5/2004–Present
- Magazine articles include scientist profiles and features on chemistry-related careers, medical issues, dental technology, indoor air quality, science museums, and fashion
- Technical and general audience publications include Science, Brandeis University Magazine, Washingtonian, Washington Woman, and Oakland Magazine
E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Co., Wilmington, DE 6/1999–2/2001
DuPont is a science-based company operating in 70 countries and numerous markets, including agriculture, communications, and transportation.
Nylon Intermediates & Specialty Polymers
Senior Laboratory Research Technician
- Synthesized organic and organometallic complexes and assisted in mechanistic studies related to optimizing nylon manufacturing
Responsibilities included:
- Presenting data, writing lab safety procedures, training staff, and managing hazardous materials and laboratory waste
Professional membership
National Association of Science Writers 2001–Present
References and samples Available Upon Request