Hey Reader,
Have you ever thought about what a typical day in the life of a scientific editor entails? Let me to walk you through an average day in my life because I have been in the business of scientific editing for quite a many years.
WHEN DID I START?
When I realized editing was my calling, the entire world was in lockdown, with tens of millions of individuals being laid off, suffering from poor health, losing family, acquaintances, and aspirations for a better future. My work as a scientific editor kept me focused and composed throughout those turbulent times. Every manuscript benefitted the scientific community internationally, and it was this outcome that enthused me to keep going...

PREPARATION BEGINS
My workday scheduling customarily starts the evening before. Before I leave my work desk each day, I go through a number of assignments on my dashboard, where I can check all of the tasks that are open throughout the day. Next, I look over the manuscripts on miscellaneous clinical areas, such as neurology, cardiology, psychiatry, and ophthalmology, among others. While I am adept in editing a broad gamut of healthcare topics, these personal much-loved areas are always a delight to work on.
I pick out one or two manuscripts to work on for the next several days. This lets me keep a track of the amount of time I'll spend on job duties the following days. Assignments with a little higher word count commonly require more time. My regular edits contain manuscripts ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 words.
DAY BEGINS
I don't consider myself a night person since I always go to bed at a decent hour. Every morning at 7:30 a.m., my alarm beeps, and I leap out of bed, poised to greet the day. But before that, I give this sincere big hug to my parents.
Once I finish my morning tasks, I must sip on my steaming mug of coffee to get the day started well. And, the same as you, I spend roughly 20 minutes browsing my feeds on social media, knowing the latest events and memes before beginning my workday. With my caffeine requirement met and social media fix reached, I am now absolutely equipped to jump into the area of scientific editing.
On the day, because I've already decided on the manuscript, my first task is to research the target journal homepage for that article to entirely understand its prerequisites. This entails researching templates and formatting guidelines as stated by the journal. This is a vital step to guarantee that the revised manuscript fits in the journal's requirements and norms.
Then, I gather all of the information I may require for the edit. Online resources, such as research articles or the American Medical Association handbook, as well as any other materials mandatory for the particular edit, could be part of it. I'm finally prepared to initiate editing once everything has been put in order.

THE ACTUAL WORK
All through the editing process, I rigorously verify each term and phrase in the manuscript for grammatical as well as spelling problems, consistency in format and organization, and conformity to the target journal's standards. In addition, I always make sure that the text flows smoothly and is simple to grasp for the readers. Moreover, I explicate my modifications or additions to the manuscript in an effort to augment its overall quality.As I work through the edit, I assure myself of taking pause to rest my eyes and refuel my brain. On a typical day, I edit for 45 minutes and then take a 10-minute break. This habit is vital to maintaining my concentration and preventing burnout. It also assists me in striking a decent work-life balance. I upload the completed edit to the dashboard after I've finished it.
Then, I repeat the practice of selecting assignments for the next couple of days.

CURTAIN CALL
To summarize, my career as a scientific editor working from home is painstaking, requiring a keen eye for detail, in-depth knowledge of my subject area, and a full comprehension of the journal's requirements. But, it is rewarding, which makes it worthwhile. I am well-equipped to face all impediments that come with editing medical manuscripts, thanks to my major background and abilities.
Would you mind letting me know if you are familiar with any scientific editor among your friends or family, or if you are one yourself! Share your comments below. Keep tuned for an update on a recent big career move I made.
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