Human Factors
By Kathryn Poe, Associate Fellow
Welcome to the Human Factors column. My intent is to talk with 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.
Getting to Know Mike Hiatt
Job Title: Senior Technical Writer
What do you actually do?
Ask lots of questions – who uses it, how do they use it, what do we need to tell them, how do they view the docs (online, hardcopy, help).
Do some screen captures; occasional line drawings in FrameMaker (Frame); Visio drawings, create PDFs, convert Frame source to help and online docs with Quadralay ePublisher, pack everything onto a CD or post to a Web site.
Attend meetings representing the technical publications department; plan documentation effort and schedules; send out documents for reviews; review specifications when requested.
Help others in the company with documentation issues from creating documents in Word to making PDFs and anything else.What hard skills have you found most useful and how do you continue to cultivate those skills?
Understanding and pushing FrameMaker to reduce repetition of information and single source as much as possible. I try to read posts to Frame lists, attend Frame sessions at the STC conference, attend Frame conferences (In February, I'll be attending the FrameMaker Chautauqua training in North Carolina). I'm constantly on the lookout for interesting plug-ins that enhance Frame's capabilities.
Do you consider yourself a guru at any particular subject?
FrameMaker. I've been using it for several years and I've found some good capabilities, developed some good practices, and discovered and used some really cool and useful plug-ins.
What is the greatest benefit of being an STC member?
For me, it's the people with their varied backgrounds and work experience. I know that if I run into a situation that has me stumped, I can contact any number of people or corner them at the next meeting to get feedback and ideas on dealing with it.
Why have you stuck around so long? What's kept you here?
Same answer — the people. I really enjoy listening to the members talk about what they've done in the past, what they're doing now, what they've tried that has worked and hasn't worked. I get many good ideas about how to approach tasks from good “nuts and bolts” information to the underlying reasons why it works and why it should be done a certain way.
What positions in LSC and STC have you held?
I've attempted to help the newsletter a couple of times, was treasurer for three years, am currently in my second year as parliamentarian, and am serving as the public relations manager. I've also served as a competitions judge.
How have you benefited from volunteering?
It keeps the LSC going. Without volunteers nothing gets done. We don't have a paid staff to make all of this stuff happen, like the meetings and the newsletter. I've also learned much about technical writing, tools, and where things are going from attending the meetings and conferences.
Advice/Thoughts on STC for Newbies
How can I get involved and if I do, what’s in it for me?
Find an officer or the volunteer wrangler and ask “What needs done?” It's really that simple. Don't be afraid to say what you will and won't do. Also be sure to let the volunteer wrangler know if you have time restraints.
How do I meet/recognize senior members?
Use that famous icebreaker – How long have you been a member? If the answer is “uhh, I can't remember” you've found one. Basically listen to the conversations, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Heck, we're always interviewing everyone else, interview each other including asking how long have you been a technical writer (or technical communicator if you're trying to lift the image) and how long have you been an LSC or STC member of LSC or STC or both.
Do senior members/council members really want to talk to me?
Most of us will talk to anyone, especially if you ask our opinion about something related to technical communication. You may not agree with the opinion, but you'll get one and it can open up a great conversation or discussion.
Can STC really help me find a job?
Yep. Every time right out of the box – heck no, not even the job boards can do that. But the job board provides opportunities, but the best is networking with other STC members. Let people know you're looking and they'll pass along tips. You might not be looking for a job, but someone may recommend you for a position they have to pass up for any number of reasons. That happened to me, and it's been a great ride.