For two Franklin & Marshall College alumni, a science writing course was a preamble to postgraduate success. 

Elizabeth Heppenheimer ’14 and Matt Turetsky ’21 were both eager to test the waters of “Contemporary Science Writing,” a course taught by Erik Anderson, associate professor of English, that examines how people write about science and then puts those principles into practice.

“I’d dabbled in science writing through some of my other courses at F&M and was curious what an entire semester on the topic would be like,” said Heppenheimer, a biology major. 

“I jumped at the opportunity,” said Turetsky, a mathematics and Spanish double major. “I was definitely nervous, though. I never considered myself a creative writer.” 

By the end of the course, Heppenheimer and Turetsky discovered that stepping outside their academic comfort zones had helped define their desired career paths.

“The readings and assignments we did in the class inspired me to explore related ideas for my honors thesis project. It felt like everything was coming together from my majors and the science writing class in my thesis,” Turetsky said. 

Turetsky’s thesis studied Latin American historical fiction’s intersection with themes of health and agriculture. This project also was influenced by a research opportunity in Peru during which Turetsky and a group of fellow students studied local perceptions of environmental and economic change in the Andes. Eric Hirsch, associate professor of environmental studies, led those students.

“The thesis project ultimately led to where I am now, a doctoral student in history at Carnegie Mellon University studying the history of agriculture, environment, and food in Latin America. My dissertation investigates the history of quinoa and other Andean crops in the 20th century,” Turetsky said.

“Your other classes and experiences on- and off-campus have prepared you more than you think to explore things outside your academic comfort zone.”

— Matt Turetsky ’21

“You'll never have a life-changing moment unless you try something new.”

— Elizabeth Heppenheimer ’14

For Heppenheimer, “Contemporary Science Writing” led her to consider scrapping her plans to apply to doctoral programs in biology and pursuing a career in science journalism instead.

“While I did go on to complete a doctorate as planned, I could never fully get the idea of being a science writer out of my head. Ultimately, my career landed somewhere in the middle,” she said.

Heppenheimer is now senior manager of the Pathogen Genomics Education Program at The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. 

“I'm still very connected to the scientific research world, but my role is to teach others about that research — which is exactly the right fit for me,” she said. 

Heppenheimer and Turetsky encouraged current F&M students to dive into subjects they’re interested in, even if those subjects are outside their major.

“Don't let the label of some classes or disciplines make you think that you are not qualified or prepared to be successful,” Turetsky said. “Your other classes and experiences on- and off-campus have prepared you more than you think to explore things outside your academic comfort zone.”

“College might be the only time in your life where you'll have the opportunity to try something for a couple of months with very few consequences if it turns out not to be the right fit,” Heppenheimer said. “You almost never know in the moment that an experience will change your life, but you'll never have a life-changing moment unless you try something new.”

A Launchpad for Success

Within six months after graduation, 92% of the Class of 2024 were either employed or furthering their education. This is higher than the national average, which is typically in the mid-80% range. Let’s connect the dots and explore the numbers — as well as how your choice of a major creates pathways to careers you may have never imagined.

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