Human Factors

By Kathryn Poe, Associate Fellow

Welcome to the Human Factors column. My intent is to talk to some of our senior members and officers so you can get to know them and they can share with you. LSC has a plethora of folks who have been in technical communications for some time. We have seen major changes in technology, expectations, and direction since we started, and here is our chance to communicate some of that to you. As I like to tell the newbies I meet, if I can keep you from stepping in a few of the potholes I have found, it is worth the effort.

y way of exposition, I will ask a person the same questions each month and their answers will appear right here. Feel free to send your ideas and comments to me at kpoe@ursaminorservices.com to make this information more useful to you.

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Name:

Elizabeth Bailey

Job Title:

Curriculum Design Manager in Loss Mitigation,
Countrywide Home Loans

What do you actually do?

Lead a team of instructional designers to create curriculum, both instructor-led and computer-based, supporting the Home Retention Division staff in their efforts to service loans. I am responsible for developing the curriculum structure to support current processes and procedures, as well as the development of staff. I am also responsible for designing an evaluation program to determine the level of success for our content. I also manage the staff that maintains our intranet.

What hard skills have you found most useful and how do you continue to cultivate those skills?

Using specific software tools that let me communicate with others is critical. Using knowledge management tools, like a Lotus Notes discussion database is helpful, where we can share best practices. Knowing the basics of writing and being able to apply those basics to curricula content is critical.

Do you consider yourself a guru at any particular subject?

Instructional Design

What is the greatest benefit of being an STC member?

The ability to network with others, ask questions, and get answers from online discussion lists.

Why have you stuck around so long? What's kept you here?

Long-time friends who cajole me into new and different tasks. Okay, also the learning I experience when I converse and debate writing and communication issues with my peers.

What positions in LSC and STC have you held?

In LSC, I have been 2 nd VP, 1 st VP, President, Web master, Region 5 Conference General/Program Manager, Online Communications Competition judge, Technical Publications judge, Technical Publications Competition Manager, and General Competitions Manager.

At the STC level, I have been Online Competition judge, Technical Publications Competition judge, Newsletter Competition Manager, Leadership Community Resource team member and mentor, International Science and Engineering Fair judge, conference speaker, and Conference Program Manager.

"How can I get involved and if I do, what’s in it for me?"

If you want to get involved, build a relationship with someone who is doing what you want to do. Submit your name to the person who is responsible for collecting volunteers. Talk to the person who is doing what you want to do at meetings and send him or her an e-mail message indicating you want to volunteer, in addition to working with the person who is responsible for collecting volunteers.

There is nothing wrong with being enthusiastic. Ask clarifying questions, if needed, about what is being asked of you when you receive a task. When you commit to getting something done within a specific timeframe, get the task done and send a copy of what you do to the requesting person. Ask questions about whether what you provided was satisfactory and listen for opportunities to improve.

This entire process will help you learn more about networking, build relationships, let you learn how to ask probing questions to determine a course of action, and assist you in showing others you are a valuable commodity.

Over time, these same learning opportunities will let others come to know you and be willing to vouch for you on other projects, and perhaps even serve as a reference when you interview for your next job. Studies have shown that networking is one of the most successful methods in helping you find a job. By volunteering, you are proving you can do a job and building relationships with others who can share those successful experiences with others.

How have you benefited from volunteering?

If you read what I actually do, I know all those things from experience. I did those things and benefited from the networking and learning I gained.

How do I meet/recognize senior members?

Talk to the people doing registration at the regular meetings and ask who is who. Talk to people at the table where you eat at regular meetings and ask those at the table who does what. Ask those at the table about the things you are interested in and ask if they know others at the meeting to whom they could introduce you.

Read the articles in the LSC newsletter, and meet and talk with the article authors. Look around you and see who is doing what at meetings, and talk to those people about the things they are doing and who does the things you would like to do.

Do you notice a common pattern here? Talking and getting out of any introverted habits you have, which can be your hardest task, is the best way to recognize those who have been doing things for a while.

Do senior members/council members really want to talk to me?

Of course they do! Most of the volunteers within STC have become volunteers because they enjoy meeting others and working on a team to accomplish goals. While some of us enjoy volunteering for small tasks and performing specific, date-ending tasks to fit within a time frame we have available, others volunteer to lead the organization knowing they will be talking to others who need mentoring, coaching, or they just want to talk. The leaders willingly take on the role of answering questions and pointing you in the right direction if they are unable to help.

Can STC really help me find a job?

Yes. If all you do is become a member and get the e-mail notifications when a new job is posted on the job board, you are one step closer to getting a job. If all you do as a member is head to the STC international job bank and look for a position, you are another step closer. If you take the time to meet others, ask about what they do, find out for what companies people work, and the challenges that those people face, you are networking with others and gaining knowledge of the work they do and the environment in which they work, so you can determine if that is a company at which you want to work. If you volunteer, you are proving your skills and meeting people who can testify to your accomplishments and successes.