The 2014 membership season opened on 23 September, and we’re already seeing plenty of renewals as well as a number of new members! Your Friendly Neighborhood Blogger looked through the names and picked a few people to talk to about their membership and why they’re a part of STC. Below are a few questions with Rachel Houghton, one of our first Gold Value Package members for this year. Keep an eye on STC’s Notebook for more conversations with members!
When did you first join STC, and what prompted you to do so?
I first joined STC in March 1998. I'd heard about STC while I was attending college at Portland State University, so I knew the value. My first job after college was as a lone writer, and I knew that I needed guidance, mentoring, and a community that I could not get at my employer. Since this was during the boom of employers paying for STC membership, I used the STC brochure (10 reasons to join STC) to convince my employer that if company policy covered membership in a professional organization for engineers (IEEE), it also covered membership in STC for technical writers. When I left that employer in 2003, I have paid for my own membership ever since.
What went into your decision to renew?
My STC membership is valuable to me. There was no decision except for when can I afford to renew.
Was there a specific thinking of “I want to renew right away for 2014”?
Yes. Right now I have the money to renew.
I see that you're a Gold Value Package member; what about that package appealed to you?
I was a Gold Education member before, but went to a Classic membership last year. I've been regretting it ever since. And now STC has beefed up the package by including all the SIGs and a guaranteed STC Summit registration rate. That sealed the deal.
What communities are you in and why?
I am currently a member of the Willamette Valley Chapter, but I will be moving to the Chandler area of Arizona early next year, so for 2014 I'm also a member of the Arizona chapter. As a Gold Value Package member, I can be a member of all SIGs, but I'm specifically a member of the Lone Writer and Consulting and Independent Contracting SIGS for 2014.
What’s your history as a technical communicator and your current position?
I've been a technical writer since December 1996, when I was hired for my first job. In addition to being a lone writer, I was also the first technical writer for the division. Since then, I've worked for three employers and as a contractor for both long- and short-term contracts. Currently, I'm a contractor.
Can you talk a bit about how being an STC member has helped you in your career?
STC has been immensely helpful in shaping my career. When I started volunteering for the Willamette Valley Chapter, I learned a lot about project management, time management, and managing others—experience that helped me in my jobs. In addition, the networking provided by being a volunteer means that I've gotten jobs or contracts because people know my work ethic.
What STC benefits have you taken advantage of in the past and what are you looking forward to in 2014?
I'm looking forward to the new features of the Gold Value Package—the guaranteed registration rate for the STC Summit and membership in all SIGs. I'm also hoping to attend an online course next year, and the 50% registration is the icing on the cake.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Go Oregon Ducks!