STC Berkeley's Next Monthly Meeting



			Next Meeting: Wednesday September 10, 2003 This month Jack Molisani talks about portfolio and interview strategies. In October, it's Eunice O'Malley discussing how to be a successful contract technical writer. Documentation vs. Writing Training Materials Jack Molisani, September 10, 2003 In today's job market, where there are far more qualified applicants than there are jobs, you need an edge when interviewing. Rather than subjecting an interviewer (and yourself!) to yet another Q-and-A session and hoping you did well enough to get an offer, use your portfolio to take charge of the interview and lead the conversation exactly where you want it to go. This presentation will show you how to use your portfolio to achieve the critical objectives needed to ace an interview and land a technical communication job. Jack Molisani has been a project officer in the Space Division of the United States Air Force, the manager of training and documentation of a multi-million dollar software company, and currently is the founder and president of ProSpring Inc., an award-winning technical communication and staffing firm. Jack teaches technical communication for the Cal State University system, is the past-president of the Orange County and Los Angeles STC chapters, and co-produced the Year 2000 Pan-Pacific Conference on Technical Communication in Hawaii. Jack is producing LavaCon, The International Conference on Technical Communication Management in Maui, HI this October. How to Become a Successful Contract Writer When You Don't Fit the Profile Eunice O'Malley, October 8, 2003 Is the thought of becoming an independent contractor unappealing? Do you know what you want or how to sell yourself? Do you know any of the latest publishing tools? Are these traits a must for contract writers? Eunice will discuss her experience venturing into the role of an independent contractor, including the following topics, which are among those that can be very frightening to deal with: Learning to be constantly extroverted and constantly networking. Going without income for a period of time. Coming up to speed quickly in order to document difficult concepts. Eunice will share her experience of overcoming most of her fears and learning to really enjoy independent contracting, in order to help those who are hesitant to try contracting, or those who are working as an independent contractors but are still uncomfortable doing so. Eunice Malley has been a technical writer for over 15 years. She has been a full-time writer and Publications Manager at both a large corporation and a telecommunications startup. Her experience has broadened over the last 2 years as an independent contractor working for other telecomm startups, the State of California, and non-profits. She recently started her own resume service business and will begin teaching business and resume writing next month for a new company that does life and career coaching for women, called LIFT (Life Is for the Taking).
			STC-Berkeley Chapter Meeting Details Vo's Restaurant in downtown Oakland, is within easy walking distance to BART, is wheelchair accessible, and has both street and nearby garage parking. Networking and conversation start at 6:00 p.m., and dinner at 6:30 p.m. If you want to eat dinner, reservations are required and must be received no later than 12:00 noon the Monday before the meeting. Reservations are necessary so that we can order the right amount of food. Do not contact the restaurant. RSVP Online Use your credit card to order meeting reservations via the chapter website. The meeting fee with dinner for those with advance reservations is: $18 for members $15 for student members, and $21 for nonmembers If you come for the program only, starting at 7:30 p.m., the fee is $12 for members and nonmembers, and $10 for students. If you are not eating, payments may be made at the door. RSVP by Mail Send checks to Berkeley STC, P.O. Box 1007, Berkeley, 94701.

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