The 2017 STC Summit closed Wednesday with a special event, a taping of a future episode of the YouTube show Fix My App, hosted by Richard Brevig with a team of UX experts: Lorelei Brown, Geoffrey Robertson, and Vera Rhoads.
Wednesday morning – the final day of the Summit – kicked off with another pair of Spotlight talks, today from Todd DeLuca and Ben Woelk. Todd spoke about the impact that the person providing service has. For example, he said, if you go out to dinner you’re most likely to remember your server rather than the chef and cooks. While technical communicators may be the chefs and cooks of the products we work on, Todd encouraged attendees to try to find ways to be involved with the service and delivery of products to customers. He said service is “COMP-limentary: Chemical, Opportunity, Memorable, and Personal. “I’ve gotten more credit being the deliverer of information that I ever did writing it,” he said.
The stars came out a little early Tuesday evening in Washington. D.C., as STC held its Honors Reception to shine a light on the best and brightest in our profession and in our community. Fellows and Associate Fellows shared the limelight with honorees for the Jay R. Gould Award and Ken Rainey Award. Publishing excellence came forward with the Frank R. Smith honorees as well as the Intercom awards for both article and guest-edited issue. And student honorees and winners of the International Summit Awards walked the metaphorical red carpet.
I was laid off in July because of budget cutbacks. On the last day of work, I received a call from a recruiter asking if I could meet with a client who was convinced that I was the right candidate for the job. To my surprise, the interviewer was an STC member, had read my writing samples, and liked them. I was hired on the spot. Being an STC member was advantageous, but it wasn’t the only reason I was hired.
This is the second of two blogs describing the benefits of STC membership and attending the annual STC international conferences. If you are employed by a company, university or organization, you may be able to get your STC conference (Summit) costs paid for you by your employer. This blog will provide key points to help prepare an effective proposal or request for support from your employer.
STC, or course, is the premier organization in the technical communication field. Seminars, publications, presentations are all available to enhance your knowledge in the field. Also, chapter meetings and annual Summits provide wonderful networking opportunities. Technical communication competitions provide the opportunity to have your work evaluated and to receive writing awards. The contacts you meet at STC events can give you a better feel for solving workplace problems and understanding issues. Nearly every day STC members send group emails posing questions on various STC networks, asking for advice or information about tools, contracts, ethical questions, job issues, etc.
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