Article Idea:
You Don’t Have to Know Where You’re Going to Have a Great Career ... the tale of a Technical Writer turned Instructor, turned Usability Professional
suggested by Martha Roden on 2009/01/20
Jan. 29, 2009
Back on 01/18/2007/01/18, Theresa Putkey suggested an idea for a story about “Using Technical Communication Skills in User Experience.”
8 people wanted the story or asked for it, but no one ever wrote it … that is until I did.
However, I have been unable to figure out how to submit the story. I followed your guidelines, saved the story in RTF format, but could find no instructions about where to send it or who to send it to.
Please help me!
Martha Roden
—
Usability & Technical Writing
martha.roden@uiwriter.com
970-225-2572
102 Peterson St., Fort Collins, CO 80524
“Making the complex simple”
www.uiwriter.com
Want to see this idea turned into a story?
7 people said yes. | 0 people said no.
Martha Roden
12 Reputation points
Posted 2009/01/22 @ 20:59PM with
I guess I need to post a comment about my own idea. I think this story will be helpful to people considering a career in user experience who are not quite sure how to go about it—especially those who may currently be technical writers.
My own journey was one of self-discovery, which did NOT involve college courses and degrees. Instead, it involved following my own inner voice, building on my natural talents, being open to opportunities, and constantly learning. Everything I learned, I learned by doing. I personally believe that anyone who has a natural ability to observe and explain can find their way into the user experience world. I hope that my story will be both motivating and educational.
Patrick Keane
0 Reputation points
Posted 2009/01/23 @ 01:22AM with
For what it’s worth, I’d be very interested to read your story – I’m currently wondering how to move from my current role towards a more dedicated focus on user experience. I’m afraid I can’t help you with the problem of submitting it, though!
Martha Roden
12 Reputation points
Posted 2009/01/23 @ 20:31PM with
Patrick,
I’d be more than happy to share my story with you and to provide a good list of free usability resources you might be interested in… ones that I used to learn as much about usability as I could. One thing I can tell you—passion and belief in yourself go a long way. Years ago I created a job description for myself and presented it to a manager, saying, “This is what I can do and this is what I want to do.” And the manager took me up on it :)
My contact info is on my website: www.uiwriter.com
Feel free to contact me and I’ll send the information on to you.
Theresa Putkey
44 Reputation points
Posted 2009/04/07 @ 13:39PM with
I did write this story…
http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/using-technical