MAWRD alumna Kristin Fleming (’22) spent her time in WRD strengthening specific writing skills while enjoying a range of courses in rhetoric as well. Today, Kristin works as a Senior Medical Writer, where she is able to combine her interests for technical writing and science. Read on to learn more about Kristin’s time at DePaul, and how MAWRD prepared her for her current and future career moves.
Why did you decide to pursue a degree in WRD?
I wanted to pursue a degree in writing that strengthened my technical skills while also indulging in my love of theory. I had very specific interests in terms of science and technical writing that were supported from my application process and beyond, so WRD immediately felt like the right program for me.
I was an English major and Biology minor at Loyola Chicago and worked in an Inorganic Chemistry lab and wanted to find a way to combine all my interests (while not having to take organic Chem). I wanted to write about science, whether in technical, creative, or other ways. While I was graduate researching programs, I found WRD to be the ideal mix of professional preparation and rhetorical exploration that I desired. I was lucky it was in the same city I was already in as well!
I started college thinking I would work in a lab, but my interest in literature and writing took me in a different direction that ended up providing a lot more job satisfaction now.
What were your most memorable experiences and/or classes from your time in WRD?
I was always ‘that girl’ in class who loved to participate, raise her hand, and just genuinely loved a lecture (as eye-roll inducing as that can be sometimes) so all my classes were fun for me. But I did have a few very memorable classes for different reasons.
I loved WRD 505: Contemporary Rhetorics with Dr. Kalin, because the discussions were so thought-provoking each and every week, and the readings–while difficult–made me appreciate the ability to sit and just write about stuff, because it did end up informing my writing/thinking/how I make an argument.
WRD 507 Global Englishes with Dr. Schnieder was also guaranteed a great discussion that would stick with you and how you perceive others based on their language.
Finally, WRD 531 Digital Storytelling with Dr. Dush stuck with me because I had never written or told a story in that way/format before and I learned a lesson in vulnerability and simplicity in writing that really forces your words to stick with people, and it was invaluable.
What do you do professionally, and how did WRD help prepare you for this?
I am a Senior Medical Writer at Carelon Medical Benefits Management, which is owned by Elevance Health/Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Basically, I am a technical writer of medical content who works on health insurance guidelines from creation to implementation to the public. The guidelines we assist with detail various tests and treatments, whether or not those are “medically necessary,” and they are what ultimately informs which things an insurance provider covers.
I edit documents for grammar, formatting, and overall style according to our style guide. I was also part of a major rebranding when I first joined the company, which required going through our archived and current documents and changing all branding from our old name (AIM) to our new name, colors, fonts, and styles. WRD 523 Editing with Dr. Elliott was foundational for a lot of this work because while I knew how to use the basics of Word and its editing capabilities, I learned how to use those and much more in a professional setting and I truly use all of that knowledge daily. WRD 532 Content Strategy with Dr. Dush also helped me immensely during the rebrand, and all of my style guide information from that course came rushing back to me!
A bonus was being a Graduate Assistant in WRD, because it taught me a lot about WordPress, which is what Carelon uses for their site, so I had an edge in the interview process as well as at the job overall. It always amazes me what becomes relevant when you least expect.
What is your favorite aspect of your current professional role(s)? Are you looking to expand your writing or other career aspects at the moment?
I love that I get to combine my love for science and writing. While I primarily work on guidelines, I do also get to edit and work on documents including evidence synthesis going over the latest updates in medicine and take minutes for meetings between doctors discussing new treatments, how our current guidelines are outdated, and what their patients need out of the guidelines.
Being able to read about and learn all of the newest technologies and potential treatments is fascinating, so I love that the content is engaging for me. I am happy to keep growing with my company now, but also hope to expand my own writing in addition to the writing I do in my current role.
What advice do you have for current MAWRD students?
My best advice is to cater the program to you and your interests as much as possible, but don’t be afraid to take a class for any reason because you will get something out of each class no matter what. I was able to take advantage of a wide range of classes and professors, even taking a science communications class in the English Department (ENGL 491 with Professor Anton).
From Sociolinguistics to Feminists Rhetorics and on, each class will teach you something — even if that “something” is just how to dig through pages of text for a few errors, someday you might get paid for finding those few errors and it will be critical you don’t miss them.
The most important aspects of your classes will be personal and will come in time, so don’t panic if a skill or knowledge set does not feel relevant to your career at the time – you may need it later in unexpected ways!
With her diverse undergraduate and graduate coursework, Kristin took advantage of the WRD program as an opportunity to flourish personally and professionally.
Hear more MAWRD alumni perspectives in the WRD Blog’s Alumni News section.