The January program meeting, Seeding the Clouds, was a delightful exercise in looking at the possibilities open to Technical Communicators! John Hedtke, author, consultant, writer, and long- standing STC member, left us with two dozen tips and a number of success stories to help inspire us to find our next job. The key is to take action now! Check out a few of John’s tips below and how you might put them into practice.
- Tip # 3 Build a professional website. (Buy a domain too.)
- Tip # 22 Do More.
- Tip # 23 Do it Differently
John suggested that what ever you have been doing, do more of it. Double the time you have been taking to market yourself.
Hmmm… Could you use social media to give you an edge? The February chapter meeting, Getting Social Media to Work for You, features Jack Smith, an interactive media consultant specializing in social media. He’ll give some examples and some practical advice to help get you started.
- Tip # 4 Add a New Technical/Professional skill.
- Tip # 6 Change Your Venue (Try a new kind of Technical Communication).
Our March and April programs feature two well-known experts in the Tech. Comm. field who will give you the foundation for a new skill:
- How about getting a handle on Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA)? Our virtual meeting in March features Sarah O’Keefe, Founder and President of Scriptorium Publishing, who will sort out the basics of DITA. And… you can join us from the comforts of your own home.
- or is e-learning something that intrigues you? Our April meeting features Sedona’s own Jane Smith, President of JEM Communications. Jane Smith has been an instructional designer for over 23 years and will give us the scoop on Common Misconceptions about e-Learning.
John suggested that another way to change your venue would be to write a magazine article or a non-fiction book. But he didn’t stop there. He provides the “how tos” on www.hedtke.com/clouds.htm
- Tip # 11 Network as much as possible.
- Tip # 12 Go to every STC event that you can.
- Tip # 24 Have fun!
John suggested you have your business cards and resume (both printed and on your thumb drive) with you at all times. (Take them to STC events and non-STC events alike.)
Also, if you find that there just isn’t enough time to connect with everyone at our program dinner meetings, you can practice your networking skills at our next Meet & Greet in May at the Spaghetti Factory.
It’s never to late to get started!
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