27 September 1999 Sheila MacKay ('59)

Sheila MacKay writes "I am the Director of Manufacturing Services and Business Operations for the Journals published by Academic Press. In this capacity, I manage all business and quality control operations with compositors, printers, and freight forwarders for 112 Academic Press scientific, technical, and medical journals, including staff administration; individual journal budget preparation and financial records; paper purchasing, and introduction of new technology. In my leisure time, I an a home owner who enjoys gardening, traveling, and music. I have sung with the San Diego Master Chorale for 16 years

I previouisly worked for the American Institute of Physics in New York city for 2 years where I received training in copyediting and production of AIP journals; and where I trained others in these skills. I have been at Academic Press for 38 years, 20 years of which I have spent in copyediting, production, and supervisory positions in publication of AP physical science books in San Diego, CA. The other 18 years have been spent in production and manufacturing management positions in the publication of Academic Press journals.

My education at VU provided the scientific background for a career in scientific publishing. This was not where I intended to be when I was at VU. I was planning to teach junior high school science; after taking all the education requirements except student teaching I decided that I did not wish to pursue a teaching career. In my job search after graduating from VU, I answered an ad for a "science major." This turned out to be the job at AIP where I was trained in copyediting, proofreading, and production of AIP journals."