Networking was a recurring theme at this month’s meeting. Participants shared their LinkedIn pages and helped one another by making new connections and recommending other networking opportunities. STC special interest groups (SIGs) were noted as a good place to meet peers, share strategies, and network with fellow specialists. Writers shared links to past webinars, notably from the Instructional Design & Learning SIG.
The group acknowledged the difficulty of networking. Technical writers, who are generally introverted, can often benefit from pairing with an extrovert. Going alone to an event full of strangers can be intimidating, and having at least one familiar person to chat with can make a difference.
Underemployment, especially during the pandemic, was a big issue for some writers, particularly contractors. Many writers find great fulfillment in the work they do, and it can be difficult to go through a dry spell. Fortunately, the industry has begun recovering, and work is becoming easier to find.
One participant shared that while job posting sites might not be helpful in landing a job, they can be useful for other purposes. Look for the industries that have the most openings, and the skills that are most in demand. Use this information to tailor your résumé and expand your skill set.
Although a strong technical foundation is important to employers, soft skills, such as interpersonal skills and teamwork, are key to setting oneself apart, keeping the job, and advancing to more senior positions.
To get your foot in the door, participants recommended “going where you want to be.” Identify the industry you are interested in and find out where the people within that industry congregate, be it a conference, social event, or pub.
Securely managing and sharing documents online is a frequent issue for technical writers. One participant recommended Microsoft Sync, which can be particularly useful if a client’s materials must remain in Canada.
We also discussed opportunities for both learning and teaching. Volunteering for professional organizations can help writers hone their skills, gain experience, and meet people within the field. LinkedIn Premium courses, freely available through most participants’ local libraries, received mixed reviews. One writer recommended Articulate as a good resource for creating e-learning materials, and several recommended the Instructional Design & Learning SIG as a good place to both network and learn. One participant recommended the Mentor Walks program, which pairs women with mentors in Vancouver, Calgary, and other cities outside of Canada.
The Tech Comm Café provides networking opportunities, job leads, answers to work-related dilemmas, and a burst of professional energy to keep you motivated. We discuss technical writing tools and techniques, career planning, portfolios, and anything else related to working as a technical communicator.
We welcome anyone who’s interested in technical communication — contractor, in-house, student, long-time tech writer, STC member, non-member, career-changer, or recruiter. We hope to see you at the next meeting!
Next Meeting: ONLINE on Wednesday, October 18, 2023
- Subscribe to receive email announcements of future meetings.
- If you plan to attend, RSVP by 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 18, to receive login instructions.
Date: Wednesday, October 18
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Location: Online via Zoom
Agenda
- Introductions. Take 60 seconds to introduce yourself, your background, current activities. A good chance to try out that new elevator speech.
- Announcements and job leads. If you know of an interesting event or a job opening, or you’re looking for work, share it with the group.
- Brainstorming Q&A. Ask about a work-related problem and discuss potential solutions.
- Speed networking. Make new contacts and discuss your professional backgrounds and goals.
Brian Young is a student at BCIT currently finishing his Technical Writing certificate. He has a BA in English from Simon Fraser University and is looking forward to working in the industry.