Determining Potential Career Paths

By Lynda Baxter

On May 10, 2012, we had the privilege of listening to the combined wisdom of Mandy Lam, a product marketing specialist, Cathy Disbrow, graphic designer, Kate Wilhelm and Mark Connolly, user experience designers, and Debbie Kerr, business analyst.  The panelists talked about their current roles, their previous roles, and the skills they developed along their career paths that enabled them to move from one role to another.

While technical writing has played a significant role in their career paths, it has also been a springboard to learning and getting involved in more specialized areas of user advocacy.

Here are my takeaways:

•          Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. For example, you may have technical writing expertise that can morph into marketing or user experience roles.
•          Be aware of possibilities not just to advance your career or move it in a new direction, but also to help your company solve problems or be more efficient.
•          Be willing to develop new skills. For example, become proficient in HTML or at least understand how it works.
•          Network and join or start! professional groups with like-minded people.
•          Stimulate your thinking by reading and doing. 
•          Become a respected advocate for excellence within your company.

All in all I was very impressed with the passion the panelists have for their jobs, their flexibility, and their willingness to share their time and experience with others.

Follow them on Twitter: 

@CathyDisbrow

@uxMark

@katewilhelm

@Kerr_Debbie

@imandylam

 Photo from Free Digital Photos

Transitioning from one role to another

By Scott Russell 

On May 15, we enjoyed an engaging, interactive session with Susan Malcolm, a career consultant at Laurier’s Career Development Centre. Susan has helped hundreds of people with job search and application. This was the second of a two-part meeting series on transitioning from one role to another. On May 10, we hosted a panel discussion on determining potential career paths.

Susan stressed the importance of researching the job market and target companies before applying for a job. This research should not be limited to Internet searches and sites such as GlassDoor.com, but include social media (Twitter, LinkedIn) and informational interviews. Such interviews are best conducted before a job opportunity arises, and the contacts can be re-engaged when applying for a job.

When it comes to applying, Susan recommended reading the job notice thoroughly and ensuring your cover letter and résumé respond to all the requirements. She said companies scan résumés for keywords to shortlist applicants for further consideration.

Susan said employers are now hiring for transferable skills, such as flexibility, teamwork and leadership, and choosing to develop new hires lacking in some technical skills. So it is worthwhile to assess your transferable skills, track your progress in developing them, and map your skills to job requirements.

We did an exercise to assess our transferable skills. Susan distributed a seven page list of skills. She said successful candidates align their cover letters, résumés and interview responses to ensure employers know their transferable skills and how they can benefit the employer. Of course, you have to know something about the employer to express these benefits meaningfully.

Sometimes you may not have all the skills required for a job. Susan recommended looking at what you have done and drawing parallels to what is required for a job. For instance, you may not have managed others, but may have led a sports team, taught a martial art, or managed a volunteer event. Susan did caution that you shouldn’t bend the truth in your application package as employers do reference checks, and misrepresentations will affect future interactions.

Finally, Susan cautioned that companies routinely search applicants online, so ensure you are well represented, showcasing your skills, building a strong professional reputation, and engaging with other respected people in your field.

Photo from Free Digital Photos

Robert Dianetti, Candidate for Vice President

Bob is an experienced technical communication executive, educator and practitioner with extensive non-profit board experience. Bob is founder and President of Radcom, a 16 year technical communication and instructional design consulting company which has enjoyed an average 20 percent per year growth rate since 1996 and employs 24 people. In 2011, Radcom won three awards for growth, the Weatherhead 100, Capital Cascade Growth Award, and the Inside Business NEO Success Award. In addition, Radcom has won several other awards for content including various STC competitions (12), APEX Awards (6), Hermes Awards (2), Communicator Awards (2), and the NEO Success Story of the Year Award. Bob is an STC Associate Fellow.

Bob has served with distinction on several non-profit boards, including the STC board as Director from 2004 through 2007. At the Society level, Bob served on the Governance committee and was chair of the Bylaws sub-committee which rewrote the Society Bylaws in 2007. More recently, he served as head of the Distinguished Community Service Award committee. Other boards he has served on include:

• Humane Society of Greater Akron
• Meredith Cowden Foundation
• Hudson Chamber of Commerce
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Northern Ohio Chapter)
• Cuyahoga Community College Technical Communication Program Board
• American Society for Training and Development (Northeast Ohio Chapter and Greater Cleveland Chapters)
• Sales and Marketing Executives International
• Cedarville University Professional and Technical Communication Student Advisory Board

Bob has been a member of the NE Ohio chapter since 1986. Bob served as the NE Ohio chapter President, Vice President, Membership Director, Corporate Sponsor Chair, and Communications Chair. Bob was also the recipient of the Distinguished Chapter Service Award (2001) and the Volunteer of the Year Award (2000). He has spoken numerous times at STC Chapters across the country. As a conference speaker, Bob has addressed the 2001 STC Region 6 Conference, the 2000 STC Region 4 Conference, the 1999 Northeast Ohio TechniCom, and presented an STC webinar in 2006.

In addition to his work with STC, in 1999 Bob spearheaded the development of a technical communication certificate program at Cuyahoga Community College, serving as head of its advisory board and teaching two courses.

Bob lives with his wife, Angie (who is also a technical communicator) and 4 sons in Stow, Ohio.

Candidate Statement:

I am a long-time STC member who is passionate about both the Society and the profession. I believe in the great benefits that our service offering brings to individuals, organizations, and the world. Technical information is being developed on an ever-increasing scale year by year as technologies are developed and available. Unfortunately, I do not see that the Society has been able to take advantage of this upswing in the global increase and need for developed technical information.

As an experienced practitioner and technical communication company executive, I believe I am the right person to lead this organization to put it back on a path of growth and excellence. My experience as President of Radcom, in addition to my extensive knowledge of the Society’s governance structure make me uniquely qualified to take this on. In my service on various non-profit boards, I have a strong sense of how successful boards and non-profit organizations run, and will bring this expertise to the STC. To sum up, I believe STC can thrive and grow in today’s global economy. I humbly ask for your vote so that I can help make this happen.

Links:

Website: www.radcomservices.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/@dianetti

Podcast: http://www.stc.org/images/stories/audio/Dianetti.mp3

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/robertdianetti

Facebook: www.facebook.com/rdianetti

Link to Candidate Questionnaire (.doc)

Li-At Ruttenberg, Candidate for Director

Note: Translations below may be affected by foreign language limitations in Blogger. For original post, see http://notebook.stc.org/meet-the-candidates-li-at-ruttenberg-candidate-for-director/

Hello, and thank you for taking interest in the STC Elections. I’m honored to be a Director candidate. I’ve helped bring value to STC on the local, regional, and virtual levels. I’d love to take it to the national and global levels.

I’m not saying I have all the answers. I’m saying I want to bring immediate changes to STC so that it can finally be a truly global organization. And I’m saying I want your help.

אני לא אומרת שיש לי את כל התשובות. אני אומרת שאני רוצה להביא שינויים מידיים שסוף סוף יהפוכו את STC לארגון בינלאומי אמיתי. ואני אומרת שאני רוצה את עזרתך.

Je ne dis que j’ai toutes les réponses. Ce que je veux dire, c’est que je veux apporter des changements immédiats à STC de sorte qu’elle soit enfin une véritable organisation internationale. Et donc je sollicite votre aide.

我不是说我有所有的答案。我说我要给STC带来直接变化; 这样, 它终于可以成为一个真正的国际组织. 我想得到您的帮助。

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
In conversation with some of the other candidates, John Hedke (who’s running for the Nominating Committee) wrote, “Being available [to STC members] makes the members happy.”

I couldn’t agree more. I began volunteering with STC on the first night I attended a meeting (in 2000, at the Los Angeles chapter), and only slowed down twice: once when my grandmother passed away at the same time that I was moving to Santa Barbara and once when a car accident drained me of almost all energies. But, even during those times, I tried to stay abreast of events and contribute to the council.

I’m now able to fully volunteer again, and so I am!

• The Technical Editing SIG needed a Fundraiser Events Manager, so I took on that role. And, although the “Watercooler Chats” aren’t a part of that role, I helped with those, too. (We’re finalizing plans for a co‐presentation by someone in India and someone in the US who work on projects together. They will discuss challenges that arise while working in cross‐cultural environments.)
  

• The Santa Barbara, California, chapter has been nearly dead for several years. Thanks to the efforts of Ann Holmes, Wayne Kliman, and others, the chapter did not collapse entirely. But it also didn’t thrive and it was not providing much in the way of benefits to members and would-be-members. After hearing the frustration this brought to at least one member, I decided there were others out there who would love to take part in a vibrant SBSTC. So I’ve embarked on this mission, and I’m pleased to say we’ve made great strides.
  

I try to listen to our members and bring value to whatever part of STC I’m helping with. Space is limited in this blog, so I’d like to direct you to places where I’ve already discussed my background, my qualifications, and my plans:

• Podcast interview: http://www.stc.org/images/stories/audio/Ruttenberg.mp3
• Candidate bio: http://stc.org/election/item/li-at-ruttenberg?category_id=69
• Q & A responses: http://www.stc.org/candidateqanda/1298-dqa

I want to apologize for an oversight in one of my Q & A responses: I failed to mention that STC India has successfully run the “STC India Conference” for 13 years in a row, and even added an "STC India Summit” last year—free to STC India members! Kudos to all the volunteers who made this happen! Good luck in future endeavors; please let me know how I can help. Also:

• What’s your opinion about partnering with TWIN (Technical Writers of India) and tekom? Specifically, do you think joining forces with them for conferences—and perhaps as a general partnership—would strengthen STC and increase member benefits, or would this somehow diminish these?
  

• Do you think that STC India and its members would benefit from having the official STC Summit rotate globally, including in India? That is, what, if anything, was lacking in your STC India Summit (or STC India Conference, for that matter) that would be improved if it were the officially rotating “STC Summit?”
  

Again, I thank you for your time. Please vote, and please consider voting for me.

Ray Gallon, Candidate for Director

Radical Persuasion

Friends and colleagues, I am seeking your vote for STC director at large, and I’m doing it because I believe that despite some positive indications in the last year or two, STC remains at a critical point in its history—one where the future of the society will be written large.

Eras of transition are always dangerous. They are also full of opportunity. I seek your vote because I believe that I am especially well suited to help STC recognize and seize opportunities, while recognizing and avoiding the dangers.

I’ve posted my vision for STC on the STC election section of my personal blog. If we could attain that vision, we wouldn’t have to be discussing our value proposition—it would be obvious.

That vision is also why I’m running for director. I believe we can achieve that vision, and if elected as a member of the STC Board of Directors (BOD), I intend to do everything possible to help us get there.

Those who followed my 2011 campaign know that I believe that STC is advancing, but too slowly. I’d like to step on the accelerator—but a BOD member cannot dictate to fellow board members. The board is a team. To bring the team along and also step up the pace, I plan to use what I call Radical Persuasion—another idea I’ve blogged about.

What I mean by this, is I intend to constantly raise subjects that I think are important, to ask questions, even if they are uncomfortable, and to push for constructive reform inside our society, based on these ideas:

• Our communities are our strength, and the communities are where we are seeing the greatest level of innovation, creativity and flare for change. Let them lead the society.
• We need to change our business model to accomodate the society to today’s economy and today’s communications environment. The music business missed the boat. Let’s not imitate them.
• I believe we should take a close look at how we are spending our money—with no taboos. I know it’s been done, but this is money that comes from the members, and we have a responsibility to constantly re-examine and search for creative ways to be more efficient with the resources we have.
• STC must be a truly international society. We have members in over 50 countries. No other technical communication professional association has that. Let’s capitalize on that—use it to strengthen our profile and the profession.
• We cannot remain isolated in our tech writers’ ghetto. The profession of technical communicator now includes so many varied activities that we must work together with organisations in related professions, and develop joint activities that help all of us in the content professions to gain visibility.

That’s the radical part of my approach. The persuasion part is less visible, inside board discussions. As I mentioned, a board member cannot act alone, and the board is bound to speak with one voice. For this reason, we candidates have been advised, wisely, in my opinion, to avoid making promises, especially since we might not be able to deliver on them.

Election pledge

All the same, I will make one promise: inside the board, I will continually and energetically propose new ideas and insist that they be seriously considered. I will work with other creative board members (and there are many) to push us ahead as far and fast as we can. This also means listening to others’ ideas, and changing my opinion if it’s not appropriate to the situation. I don’t think I know everything, and this is a collegial activity that demands mutual respect as well as strong convictions.

I also pledge to you, that my first and only concern on the board will be the good of STC. For me, that doesn’t mean simple survival of the institution. It means that STC must further our profession effectively, internationally, and provide significant and lasting value to its members.

I’m developing these issues in more detail in various forums, especially on my blog, Rant of a Humanist Nerd. Please join me to engage in debate and help me understand your needs.

Bernard Aschwanden, Candidate for Director

Meet Bernard Aschwanden: Since 1992 he has worked as a trainer, courseware developer, writer, team lead, manager, and business owner. His extensive travel and work with 1000s of people across North America, Europe, and Asia gave him the chance to see the benefits STC membership brings to technical communicators. As a professional consultant, he implements technical writing solutions for teams and projects from startups to Fortune 500 corporations. This broad exposure to different cultures, policies, and processes has taught Bernard a great deal about technical communications and the people in this field.

Offerings for the overall STC community: Foresight and leadership. Before zero-based budgeting became par-for-the-course in STC communities, Bernard introduced this concept to his own community. He built a management team to keep Toronto STC strong and deliver membership value. His innovations granted Toronto a Community Pacesetter Award. Bernard is also a professional presenter, recognized as a top-rated speaker at events such as STC Summit, tekom, and more. For over 15 years he has represented STC communities in discussions regarding funding, in educational presentations, and in many roles as a senior STC member. It is a logical extension of his services that he be elected to represent your needs to the Board in a formal role as Director.

Offerings to STC community leaders: Bernard has helped community leaders by promoting long-term sustainability and strong communities with solid partnerships. He understands how stakeholders, plans, budgets, and unforeseen circumstances can impact a community and helps leaders formulate plans to manage each of these components. He provides educational events to communities to help raise funds, delivers workshops online, and travels to communities to meet leaders and learn about their local needs.

Services and support for STC members: He supports a strong pro-member agenda. Bernard delivers community workshops, establishes partnerships with vendors, and leads presentations (both online and in person). He is active online, providing both direct and indirect support for members. He is also a strong voice for the rights of student members. Bernard speaks passionately about the value of the STC and technical communications as a profession both within the STC and to organizations outside the STC.

Elect your STC Director: Bernard is a community level past-president, webmaster, newsletter editor, and competitions manager. He has been a member since 1997. Many people within the community have asked him to run for this position, and to bring his skills, ideas, and leadership to the international level. Bernard is eager to work with the STC for the betterment of the Society and its members regardless of community size, funding, or location.

Solid business credentials: Bernard is also a small business owner and responsible to both clients and staff. This means he sets realistic expectations and ensures his business is run in a fiscally responsible way. Growing a business, managing projects, and working with the STC board all require similar skill sets. Leadership means understanding what is realistic, what resources are needed, and where estimates change. Bernard’s business survived one of the toughest economic downturns in recent history, and continues to grow. In part, it is because he can adapt quickly to change, and is willing to ask for ideas from many sources to find solutions.

Next steps to consider: Talk to others in the STC about Bernard. Perform a Google search to learn more about him. Review his business website. Follow him on Twitter. The STC needs clear leadership to continue to rebuild the community; it needs people with a vision for the future and the ability to bring membership into a future where the STC is a strong organization. STC needs people who ask intelligent questions, talk to communities, or explain why requests cannot be met. It needs strong leaders who listen and can make the right decisions.

Conclusion: Bernard Aschwanden has almost 20 years in training and technical communications, resolving technical communication challenges, and providing fresh ideas and solutions. His vision is an STC community that is strong and well positioned to meet the growing needs of technical communicators. To that end, please add your support and help Bernard Aschwanden. Elect him as a Director of your STC.

Candidate Statement:

I want to be an STC Director to bring experience and leadership to a community I have been involved with since 1997. I have been the Toronto STC President, active in the STC community as a presenter, educator, and a leader, and feel the time is right to run for this position. Over the past 20 years in technical communications I have forged strong relationships with service providers, software developers, STC community leaders, and our membership at large. My abilities to find common goals and work with diverse teams to make them happen are something the STC needs.

Other Links:

http://www.publishingsmarter.com/community/stc-community

http://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardaschwanden

http://www.youtube.com/user/publishingsmarter

Nicky Bleiel — Candidate for STC Vice President

I am very enthusiastic about our profession, the professionals in it, and the technical communicators yet to come. I am running for STC Vice President because the growth of our profession is dependent on a robust, active, and vibrant STC, and I want to help lead the way.

From my experience as an STC Director, as well as an STC Chapter leader, I know the members, the Society, and the issues. From my 17 years of experience as a technical communicator, I know the profession and the challenges our members face every day.

I want to take my years of management, leadership, tech comm, and STC Board experience, and use them to move STC and the profession forward, and to continually improve member value.

STC has tackled some big initiatives in the past few years (including a new website, the “MySTC” social network, work with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, partnerships with other international tech comm organizations, and certification), while still providing important core services such as publications, the Summit, and recognitions.

I plan to build on that foundation, and champion some new ideas, such as holding virtual “summits” with industry leaders, producing YouTube videos to educate the public and potential students about our profession, and creating STC apps and content for mobile devices.

My professional experience includes writing and developing information for software products in a variety of industries. I have presented talks at the STC Summit, WritersUA, tcworld, CIDM, and LavaCon on many topics. I have been published in STC's Intercom, Tieline, STC conference proceedings, tcworld magazine, TechCom Manager Newsletter, and the WritersUA and the Content Wrangler websites. I also teach Technical Writing at the Community College of Allegheny County.

My STC leadership experience includes service as an STC Director for four years. I am the Board Chair for Recognitions, where I oversee the guidelines and processes for the Society’s extensive recognitions program. I also serve on the Audit committee. I am a past president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of STC. I am currently conducting a survey project to assess how software development managers view technical communicators. The data will help STC formulate a strategy to promote our profession and its professionals—as well as STC—to these managers.

I have served as an STC International Student Technical Communication Competition judge, an STC Pittsburgh Technical Publications judge, and as a reviewer for the STC Summit and the Technical Communication journal. I am a member of the Pittsburgh Chapter, as well as the Instructional Design and Learning, Single Sourcing, and Usability and User Experience SIGs.

To learn more about me, please see my website: www.nickybleiel.com. It includes my biography; a list of recommendations from members; a list of my presentations, articles, and podcasts; and a rundown of my service to STC over the years.

Albert Einstein said “All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.” STC is about opportunity, pure and simple. There are opportunities to lead, teach, learn, mentor, write, serve, judge and win awards, and interact with other professionals. Every technical communicator should want to be a member, because STC is a rich source of opportunity. And that is why I am running for Vice President, because I want to keep those opportunities coming, and to help develop even more.

I kindly request your vote. Polls open March 2. (Reminder: you must renew your membership by Feb. 29th to be eligible to vote.)

Thank you.

Nicky Bleiel
STC Director-At-Large
Candidate for Vice President
www.nickybleiel.com
Follow me on Twitter: @nickybleiel

Sidebar

Here are just a few of the endorsements I’ve received from members:

"Nicky Bleiel is a leader with practical know how and good sense. As the STC moves forward it will be important to draw on the leadership of talented individuals who can not only work well in teams, but who can also enlist the trust of the membership. Nicky has a track record of making the value of STC more visible in the professional lives of its members. She is prepared to take on new challenges and devise new strategies for making the STC even more responsive to its membership. I urge you to vote for Nicky Bleiel for STC Vice President!"
Karen Schriver, PhD
President, KSA Communication Design & Research
STC Fellow and Recipient, STC Ken Rainey Award for Excellence in Research

"I have known Nicky Bleiel for many years, both on and off the STC Board of Directors. I know that she is passionate about doing the right thing for STC and that she follows through on her promises. She is a great team player and is just as wonderful as a team leader. I give my endorsement to her as STC VP. I know that she will continue working at her usual high level as she approaches and then embraces the STC presidency"
Linda Oestreich
STC Fellow and Past President

"STC needs Nicky at the helm to see it through these times of rapid change, financial challenge, and redefinition of our field. She has shown her dedication, giving freely of her time and energy to the tasks of directorship, and I've seen her openness to listen to new ideas. She brings the fairness and assertiveness that we need to get past inevitable disagreements and misunderstandings. And Nicky is grounded in that critical capacity, a strong sense of humor, which defuses hostility and wins good will."
Mary Connor
Documentation Architect, Advanced Solutions International
STC Senior Member

Looking to 2012

By Carol Lawless

Wow! It’s hard to believe the new year is upon us already! Your local council has been as busy as elves to fill your STC stockings over the holiday season and into 2012.

First, we’re delighted to welcome our newest volunteers – Ann, Sian and Dwight.

We finalized our budget and submitted it to head office for approval in October. We still retain a working bank balance but continue to strive to keep our books balanced, through careful scrutiny (thanks, Jim) and watching for opportunities to produce some income. Specifically we’re looking for sponsorships for events and scholarships. If your company might be interested, contact our Vice-President, Rob Cundari.

We’ve decided not to renew our partnership with Communitech. While we hope to re-connect with this unique organization in the future, the timing wasn’t quite right. We have, however, started another initiative with the Accelerator Centre. Watch this blog for more details, but it’s an exciting opportunity for senior writers to mentor and consult with entrepreneurs who operate under the Centre’s aegis.

Our two competitions are under way. The Publication Competition is looking for your entries by the middle of January. If not quite ready but you’re planning to enter this prestigious event send us the webform entry early to let us know you’ll be submitting an entry. It’s on the stc-soc.org website.

We’re also ramping up for our student awards competition. It’s open to all Ontario, post-secondary students. With a $1000 scholarship on the line, we’re expecting another good crop of student entries.
Council has also been working to put together our spring workshop.

We’re expecting two days of top-notch learning at the end of April. We’re still in the planning stages but we will have three or four separate workshops on different topics. There will be lots of flexibility, if you can’t manage two days away from your office. It’s always a great opportunity to upgrade your skills and a very reasonable cost. And, with no long-distance travel required! Pencil in April 26 and 27, now. We’ll let you know speakers and topics, soon.

For education events, we’re planning for Tom Johnson to join us in January via the web. He’ll be delivering a lunchtime talk on organizing help content for “findability”. In February, we’ll have Joe Welinske present “Write More, Write Less: Embracing the value of crafted words and image”.

Outside of the local chapter, the Canadian Chapter delegates continue to discuss items of interest to Canadian technical writers. Their biggest initiative is a Canadian Salary Survey.

Remember, we’re always looking for volunteers, so contact us if you’d like to become involved with other technical writers in the area. There’s lots of work to do this year!