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:

Ann Balaban

Job Title:

Technical Communicator

What do you actually do?

Everything! I write, I plan, I design. I also work on requirements and use cases, and I do some usability. Could probably do more, but I don’t have time. I spend a lot of time cultivating good sources.

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

Writing—I buy books with exercises and I rewrite almost everything I read. I also ask people that I think are better writers than me to read my stuff and give me their feedback.

Interviewing—watching others, reading articles.

Being adaptable to using new tools—this is very important. Don’t be limited by only being able to use a certain tool. Understand the concepts and apply them to all tools.

Tool expertise—I try out new things, I beta test when possible, I download trial copies and try them out, I talk with other STCers about what they are using and any problems they are having.

Do you consider yourself a guru at any particular subject?

Cats (felines)! I guess I would be considered a good mentor. I enjoy helping young people develop and find the right track for them.

What is the greatest benefit of being an STC member?

The people you meet and the contacts you make. These are the main resources of STC and they can help you throughout your career.

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

I really do enjoy the high-tech environment. I think STC members have been one of the biggest helps in developing my skills. It’s amazing how much you can learn if you get to know people, and then ask for their help. When I read an article in the journal or Intercom and I like it or I have questions, I contact the author (after all, they are STC members just like you and me), and I send my compliments on their article, what I liked, and then I ask them my questions or tell them what I am in doubt about and ask for more explanation.

What positions in LSC and STC have you held?

Lone Star President, Membership Manager, Publications Competition Manager, Competitions Manager, and worked on various committees

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

I have said, since I was president, you only get as much out of an organization as you put in. If you really want to get involved, then step up and volunteer. Talk to the people who are committee heads and tell them you want to help. STC is a volunteer organization, and everyone has a career besides what they do for STC and other organizations they belong to, so you can’t expect a senior member to step up and recruit you specifically. You have to show the initiative and then follow up. That’s how we all got started. Bite the bullet and push that shyness away. Step up and introduce yourself, and say I want to get involved. Believe me, they are going to love you!

How have you benefited from volunteering?

I have learned skills that I have used in other organizations, including a 501(c)3 I founded. I have met some really great people. I have developed great resources. All of this applies both locally and internationally.

How do I meet/recognize senior members?

I don’t know how to do that, I guess when you introduce yourself, just ask. Titles have never meant much to me, so I never really paid any attention. That’s why I always know everyone, from the president on down. If you don’t set limits on yourself, then your circle of friends and resources expands exponentially.

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

Yes, we are always looking for new talent, and like I said before, I and most of my colleagues enjoy helping young people develop. But we get tired of trying to do it for you. You have to make the effort on your own and follow up. This includes staying involved and letting us know what needs to be changed or what you think might work better. That’s how this organization grows and improves.

Can STC really help me find a job?

Yes! I got my second job in technical writing because I knew two people at the company. They were both people I met when I first joined STC, and I approached them when I was a new member and they were president and a region director. We worked on many committees together, and they were (and still are) valuable friends and resources.