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