The bulk of the work was finished, and we were waiting for it to go live on our web site.

My 15 April was quiet and seemingly a little dull:
• Spent a fair proportion of the day going over the new glossary, correcting mistakes, adding and deleting links to other glossary items.
• We’re trying to expand the careers module of the new Biotechnology Online, and I was working out who needed to be added to the career profiles already gathered, whilst balancing demographics, geography and qualifications – once this was largely done, I called a genetic counsellor in Western Australia whose profile I wanted to capture as she had been recommended to me, but she didn’t answer, so I left a message.
• Called the Departmental Liaison Officer in Industry Minister Macfarlane’s office for business to do with the launch of Biotechnology Online in July, but she was away ill, so I left a message.
• Called one of the organisers for the Northern Territory Science Teacher’s Association conference, but she was teaching when I rang, so I left a message.
• Spoke with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Education department about arranging a preview event for teachers in the Australian Capital Territory and biotechnology educators prior to the launch of Biotechnology Online and was directed to the head of ‘The Green Machine’, one of CSIRO’s educational projects. Didn’t call, as it was getting a little bit late in the day.
• Our section had a collective chat with a recent university graduate who may come into our work section for three months.
• Intermittently watched progress on the construction site right outside my window.
• Ate chocolate, arranged lunch with friends on the weekend.
• Went to the gym at lunch to try and allay guilt over eating chocolate.
• Had a nice, quiet evening at home with seafood laksa for dinner (which I didn’t cook) and watched TV.

This is quieter than most days. At the peak of the redevelopment of Biotechnology Online, I was doing these sorts of things in addition to writing extra text; reading, editing and approving drafts of each chapter; reviewing, reworking and writing work sheets and teacher notes; sourcing animations and images, and gaining the appropriate permissions to use them. During the busiest times, I was juggling eight balls at once. However, the diversity of my work is its great joy.

I never expected to be working in education/communication work such as this when I was in high school – I had my heart set on a career in medical research. I did a Science degree with Honours in Biochemistry and Microbiology, but it was only whilst doing a PhD to officially become a researcher that I found I wasn’t that great at doing research - I was (and am) much better at talking about it.

I had already finished a Graduate Diploma in Scientific Communication by the time I started my PhD, and this came in very handy when thinking about where to go next. I worked overseas doing communication work for a while and landed a great job in Biotechnology Australia (an Australian Government agency charged with informing public debate on biotechnology issues) doing news and media when I returned home. I did this for two and a half years, then moved into the job I’m doing now.

I love having a project to work on, being responsible for its direction, shape and form. I’ve handled everything from the new look and feel, to the links on each page. The contractors have made my life a lot simpler as they’ve been very professional and competent – I wouldn’t have enjoyed it so much without them. I also have a great group of people to work with and that makes a huge difference every day.