Curious about Kinkajous
In this spotlight on members blog, get to know the awesome Mirjam Guesgen - freelance science editor and journalist.
60 seconds to tell me about yourself - go!
Gar! This is always the hardest question to answer!
For work I’m a freelance science editor and journalist. I edit VetScript magazine – New Zealand’s only animal science and veterinary publication. I write features, news stories and scripts for YouTube videos about anything science, health or tech.
Personally I care deeply about the people close to me. I get in my own head too much but am working on that. I love getting out and swimming, enjoying a good walk and the sunshine. Pasta is my ride-or-die food. I’m a current plant parent and hope to be a dog parent in the future.
What do you love about what you do?
I love learning cool new stuff. I’ve always said that if I could be paid to learn that would be my ideal life. This is pretty darn close. Part of that is talking to people who are really enthusiastic about the work they do. Curiosity and excitement are contagious. If I walk away from interviewing a scientist and I’m buzzing, that’s a good sign. Then the challenge is channelling that excitement and finding a way to get other people excited about the science too!
Favourite animal and why?
Kinkajous! They’re these weird tree-dwelling carnivores from South America. They’re one of only two carnivores that has a grasping tail, they mostly eat fruit (not meat), they’re one of only a tiny percentage of mammalian pollinators (most are bats) and they can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees so they can hang upside down from branches! And they’re really cute as well.
If I had to pick an animal to be though, I’d probably be a sea bird – live by the ocean, float in the breeze and get to snack on the odd hot chip.
What area of work would you like to do more of?
I’d love to write more longform features – the kind of stories where you can take your time, paint a picture and really dig into an issue. Those are the most fun to write and I love being able to take a reader some place and immerse them in a scene. I’d also love to write for somewhere like The New York Times or National Geographic.
What are some of the challenges of freelance writing?
Time and myself. Sometimes I feel like I don’t have enough time to do everything I want or need to do. I also think I spend too much mental energy caring what other people think of me or my work. My goal for next year is to prioritise the work and people that matter to me.
What do you like about co-working at Mo-co?
The people! I’m inspired and amazed by how talented the Mo-co crew are and the work they do. I love being able to bounce ideas around and get input on anything I’m having issues with. And everyone is so caring and open to boot! I really feel like I’m part of a mini community at Mo-co.
