STC Student Chapter Meeting Minnesota State Mankato March 5th, 2009 Attendees Julie Stella Katie Tormala Marina K Lori Raborg Nancy McKenzie Kelcey Woods-Nord Roland Nord Gretchen Haas Zenobia Redeaux Agenda Current Student Presentations (Julie Stella, Lori Raborg, Zenobia Redeaux) Internship Opportunities Upcoming Meetings Current Student Presentations Lori Raborg – (Administrative Support for English Department) Personal background in Animal Science/Livestock Management Longstanding interest in writing – didn’t know she was a technical writer Work Experience: o Kern County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office (Bakersfield, CA) Standards Enforcement, Pest Exclusion, Inspections etc o Private Environmental Remediation Consultant (Lead Office Administrator) Common Elements: o Applying regulations to real situations, Explaining regulations, Training coworkers, Reporting Results Writing and Editing: o Correspondence, newsletters, technical reports, marketing/grant proposals, database, charts, presentations Document Production: o Assemble master documents *single voice”, monitoring project, team tracking, document layout, document preparation, etc Information Design: o Organize project resources, application modification of structure Research-based Writing Training: o Staff workshops:: inspection procedures, new regulations, health and safety; Public workshops: regulatory and health and safety; Training materials: curriculum, etc Possible Career Fields o Regulatory Enforcement Agency and Consultants Health and Safety, Public Works, Public Lands, EPA Zenobia Redeaux – (Lead Technical Writer for Audatex) o Graduate San Francisco State University (Journalism) o Technical Communicator for almost 20 years o Long standing member of STC – since 1992 o Lead Senior Writer with Audatex (San Ramon, CA) Experience: o High tech software & hardware; Medical & financial o User Manuals; Installation Manuals; System Administrators Guides; Training Guides; Online Help; Developer Documentation o Independent Contractor – Owner of A to Z Desktop Publications Regular tasks and skills: o Page layout; interview SMEs; write, proofread & edit; documentation design plans; understand software lifecycle project management; latest tools single sourcing and data reusability; test software applications; page layout and template design; create technical illustrations; coordinate translations Tips for Longevity o Keep your tools sharp (be willing to take classes) o Be flexible (full time vs. contracts) o Stay connected (STC, networking) o Keep a recycle box under your desk (emergency packing box) o A lot of jobs out there! Julie Stella – (Volunteer with Arc of Minnesota Southwest) Volunteer Newsletter Editor (Volunteering/Networking) o As a result from ENG 680 Proposals o http://tinyurl.com/ARC-volunteer Tasks o Proofread, copy edit, heavy edit, check facts, make documents consistent Benefits of volunteering o Learn or develop a new skill o Meet a diverse range of people o Boost your career options Benefits of networking o Learn valuable information about your field Helps you plan Helps you know what opportunities Gain insight about your path o Establish mutually beneficial relationships o Might be able to help someone else find a job Networking that works for her o Establish a reputation for producing quality work o Join a professional organization o Ask friends/colleagues about career plans o Volunteer o Conduct informational interviews Internship Opportunities Wells Fargo (Minnesota & Iowa) Document Management WFHM Intern (Minneapolis, MN; Des Moines, IA; Eagan, MN) Marketing Intern (Minneapolis, MN) Human Resources Intern (Minneapolis, MN) Communications Intern (Minneapolis, MN) State of Minnesota - Writer and Editor to update Creative Job Search Upcoming Meetings 3/17 – Workshop: Resume Writing and Job Searching Tips 4/9 – Alumni Presentations 4/18 – Special Event with Dr. Lee Tesdell 4/23 – Workshop: Online Portfolios