Journeying through academia, industry, and entertainment with Dr Erin Macdonald

<p>Erin Macdonald (PhD, Astrophysics) is a tattooed one-woman STEM career panel, with recognition as a researcher, speaker, engineer, and consultant before her current career. She lives in Los Angeles working as a writer and producer and is currently the science advisor for the entire Star Trek franchise.  </p> <p>In our conversation, we talk about Erin's journey through academia, industry, and entertainment, learning to celebrate little wins, and Erin's love of teaching and sharing science to inspire the next generation.</p> <p>Show Notes: <a href='https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/erin-macdonald'>https://steampoweredshow.com/shows/erin-macdonald</a></p> <p>[00:00:59] Television and film leading Erin down the path to astrophysics. [00:01:51] Having a passion but not exactly a plan. [00:02:45] Exploring academia. [00:03:05] The challenges of academic life. [00:03:38] Taking the advice of getting some distance from her PhD before making any career decisions. [00:04:51] Transitioning into industry. [00:05:01] Working multiple jobs to pay the bills. [00:05:30] Discovering her transferable skills. [00:06:26] The value of being able to communicate the science. [00:08:54] Finding a space in the con circuit. [00:10:01] Pop culture gives people a reference point for the science. [00:13:42] The path to becoming a science advisor. [00:13:56] Discovering that 'science advisors' exist planted a seed. [00:15:06] Networking and learning more about the process. [00:16:04] Getting on the Star Trek radar. [00:17:20] Science advising is about "yes, and". [00:18:04] The day-to-day. [00:20:31] The story comes first. [00:22:16] The cyclical nature of science, invention and science fiction. [00:24:42] Writing, producing, and looking to the future. [00:25:38] Speaking to those who had come before. [00:26:41] Pros and cons working in this space in the 90s and now. [00:27:43] Starting to write. [00:28:43] Producing a film: Every Morning. [00:32:14] Finding a purpose and a place. [00:33:39] Finding a space where you want it enough and fe