Each month rotating guest writers offer a review of the monthly meeting
program. This month Chris Gripkey offers a recap of the September meeting.
September Wrap STC-Berkeley
Do you want to know how to find a good job in this fickle economy? If so, you’re not alone. There were about 20 people who came to hear former STC president Lance Gelein’s lively presentation on “Getting Ready for Your Career,” which was brimming with useful job-seeking advice for the green college graduate and the veteran work horse, and everyone in-between.
The first part of the program involved defining the role of the technical communicator, which is as important as it is basic. Simply put, if we can’t articulate our own core competencies, we have little hope of selling ourselves to potential employers. Gelein offered this concise definition of technical communicator: "An information intermediary biased towards the needs of the end-user." He went on to list the skills we should make known to potential clients, including the ability to communicate information to the end-user, the ability to identify user requirements, and the ability to specify requirements needed for the technology communicator and the end-user to be successful.
What fields of work, you may ask, need such talent? As Gelein puts it, "Every Field!" Although it may be true that most people have traditionally associated technical communicators with software companies, nowadays no field is left untouched by our profession. If you require proof, take a look at Gelein’s career map, and you will discover a range of fields that will at once amaze and overwhelm you.
Given how many options there are, the question we should ask ourselves is, What field should we pursue? Or, Where is our passion? If your mind has just gone blank from considering a response, and not the good kind of blank that Buddhists talk about, that’s all right You can find inspiration in many places. Gelein recommends reading newspapers, checking websites such as Monster and Dice, talking with friends and colleagues, joining networking groups and getting involved with organizations. It’s also important to get in the habit of telling people what you do, and saying what you are interested in knowing more about. Sometimes casual conversations, even with strangers, will lead to great job opportunities. One of Gelein’s best contracts, which lasted over 2 years, evolved from a conversation he had with someone he met on an airplane. You just never know.
It is also an excellent idea to pay attention to current trends. If you notice new products, ideas or technologies being used or sold, you are probably on to something. From what Gelein has seen, the following fields are hot right now: biotech industries, medical systems, medical drug research, manufacturing, security and defense. For every field you consider, ask yourself, "How can I fit in? What information products or training requirements are needed? Is THIS interesting to me?"The last question is particularly important. You are much more likely to be successful if you find a job that you feel passionate about. And that passion may come from working in a particular field, or from your role in an organization. Gelein’s passion, for example, is making people more successful at their work.
Once you identify a field that interests you, the next step is to do some research. Gelein recommends asking for informational interviews, enrolling in classes or seminars, and attending conferences. By doing these things, not only will you learn more about the field, you will also have plenty of opportunities to network. Imagine, for instance, you attend a technology conference where you are the only technology writer. This is the equivalent of being the only boy at an all-girl dance—your odds for success should be pretty good.
Gelein suggests a few tools for networking. For starters, develop a 15 word introduction, which should be interesting, totally clear to the common person, enthusiastic, and personal. Most importantly, it should leave your audience begging for more. Gelein guided the group through a process designed to help us compose our introductions. Here are the instructions: spend a few minutes writing down words that describe you; review the words and think about their meaning; circle three or four of your favorites and construct your introduction around them.
Another great tool for networking is the "All About Me" Brochure. Once you've introduced yourself to your potential client or boss, hand them a brochure that spotlights your talents and skills. Again, the goal is to dazzle your audience. Here is a good exercise to help you create the brochure and help you understand yourself better: Ask people you know to list 3 things you do well and 3 things you need to work on. Reflect on their answers, and use them to promote yourself, and to realign your goals.
Other networking and marketing tips include asking people for referrals, separating yourself from the rest of the pack, picking an agent who represents you well, and following up meetings or presentations with a thank you note and phone call, which Gelein carefully points out is considerably more personal than email. Additionally, you should always carry business cards. As the American Express slogan warns, don’t leave home without them.
Lastly, Gelein recommended each person develop a 30 day action plan. He gave us a form in which we listed things to increase our network, things to manage our careers, and other goals. If you’re interested in doing this, make your own list of what you want to accomplish in the next 30 days, put it in a self-addressed stamped envelope, and then have someone mail it to you a month later. This is a good way to check your progress, which will hopefully be a cause for celebration. Good luck on your career, and have fun networking.
