The second part of this blog topic focuses on the benefits I received from being an STC member. Read on to find out How STC Supported and Embraced Me (Or, to paraphrase the Beatles, “In the end, the love you get is GREATER than the love you give.”)
After that first STC conference in 1984, and through the years, I have served on many committees: Academic/Industry Liaison, Conferences, Research, Publicity, and others. The first two in that list became part of who I am today and have run in and out of my STC/professional life for more than 30 years. Sometime in the mid-1980s, after helping to develop and teach a 40-hour class to scientists and engineers, through STC connections, I began teaching technical writing at San Diego Community Colleges. That beginning has lasted: I still balance my regular job with teaching part time! Because of my teaching/practical connections, I served on tech comm advisory boards to San Diego State University, San Diego Community College, and the University of Houston—Downtown. The advisory committee work helped me see the issues between the practical side of technical communication and the academic one, and that interest has stayed with me throughout my career.
I’ve been a professional technical communicator for three and half decades, and STC has been with me every minute. I’ve attended and often spoken at 31 annual conferences, dozens of regional conferences, and scores of community meetings. I firmly believe that I make thousands of dollars more every year because of my STC affiliation and, because of STC, I’ve traveled to many of the 50 states and even to a few countries. I have held several positions, and STC connections helped me land every single one of them. I’ve had the pleasure of working in government, oil and gas, human resources, property management, and information technology. I’ve been VP of a tech comm consulting company; a manager of corporate communications, technical communications, and training departments; and a writer/editor for a scientific research lab. I’ve taught tech comm at businesses, community colleges, 4-year colleges, and extension colleges.
My technology skills have never been deep, but thanks to STC, my soft skills of communication, speaking, leadership, coaching, mentoring, and managing are pretty darned good. I love what I do and enjoy helping others learn how to do it. I am convinced beyond doubt that STC brought me good fortune, great opportunities, and fascinating experiences. Even when some of those experiences were tough, the lessons I learned and the people who helped me made them worthwhile.
I have friends, colleagues, and former students who have been in my life for decades because of STC. I have laughed and learned and delighted in so much that I can’t imagine my career without STC. Sadly, some of my STC mentors and friends have passed away, and in doing so, left holes in my STC heart. But, their influences are still alive and I treasure my memories.
Because of STC, I have had the chance to know what this profession is about from multiple angles. I have never felt stymied or stuck, because even when my personal employment was limited, my STC life was not.
So, how has STC supported and embraced me? How has it not? I’ve been blessed beyond measure and, as long as I’m sentient enough and affluent enough to pay dues, I’ll do it. Yes, I’ve slowed down my STC volunteering. I am convinced that new ideas and new people must continue to move up into STC leadership. But, although I am a wizened, former President and STC Fellow, I intend to keep at least one toe in the rushing waters of STC. So, if you need someone with whom to share ideas, get historical perspective, or chat about tech comm, I’m your gal. My life is good; STC has helped make it so. May it enrich your profession as it has enriched mine.
Miss part 1? Check it out here.