By Jennifer Maynard | Senior Member
Never underestimate the value of volunteering. As technical communicators, we are blessed with writing and design talent. Organizations worldwide are always in need of volunteers with strong communication skills.
Good for the cause
As a technical communicator, I enjoy meeting new people and learning about a new product. I relish the challenge of presenting great information that is easy to understand and use. We can apply these same skills in our work with volunteer organizations. Writing and design skills are always in demand. Quality information and great design impresses supporters and presents a professional image. It spreads the message and goals of each volunteer organization.
Our skill sets are as diverse as the opportunities to serve, such as writing and designing:
- Logos, websites, and social media sites
- Promotional literature and marketing materials
- Weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, and brochures
- Press releases, campaign materials, and speeches
- Grants, policies, and procedures
- Vision and mission statements
- Training guides, user guides, and job aids
- Content management systems
- Videos
We can use our copyediting and proofreading expertise in all areas shown above. Define your skill set to determine how to best use your gifts and talents.
Many volunteer opportunities support children. We can serve as responsible, creative role models. We can mentor these students while showcasing our work in the technical communication field. They can learn the value and importance of quality information through our writing and design samples. We can help them prepare and write résumés and even assist with their college applications.
Good for your career
Like most technical writers, I have always loved to write. I wrote articles for the school yearbook, college newspaper, and Winter Carnival pictorial. In college, I wrote and reviewed résumés for almost everyone I knew. While building my design and writing portfolio, I created websites, brochures, and logo designs. I shared these samples during job interviews to showcase my work and experience.
Every opportunity builds your technical communication experience and expertise. It’s an excellent use of your time and skills while helping worthy causes. Volunteering helps you build your personal and professional network while helping others. You can also volunteer to write, edit, and design while working remotely, thus extending your reach even further. You may also learn a new skill or software program to keep your skills sharp.
If you find yourself between jobs or in the market for a career change, volunteering allows you to explore your passion. You can seek work in a new field or for a new task before committing to a major job change. Volunteer opportunities may lead to new careers even if you weren’t planning on a job change. And, as you write and design for a volunteer organization, your samples are your own and not owned by the company you work for.
Good for you
Today, I get paid to write and design. My daily work is technical in nature and we follow writing and style guidelines. Writing as a volunteer gives me the opportunity use skills that I do not use every day on the job. I am glad that I can continue to use my communication skills in a volunteer capacity. As a member of our local Rotary club, I designed the club brochure, update the website, and write press releases. I also get to meet new people and learn more about my community and our world at each weekly meeting. My work promotes the great initiatives that Rotary International supports. I get to do what I do best every day at work and in my free time as a volunteer. It’s easy to find areas to best use your skills when you commit to the work of your organization.
Seek organizations where you can use your unique skills and expertise as an opportunity to serve. See www.volunteermatch.org or www.pgdp.net to search for a variety of volunteer activities. For more information about Rotary International, see www.rotary.org.
Editor’s note: For more information on how other technical communicators have volunteered their skills and talents, visit the STC LinkedIn group (www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2926) for a lengthy and extremely interesting discussion about volunteering.
