Re: Additional roles for technical writers

[Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>]

When I'm able to do so without stepping on anyone's toes, I operate like
Mike. I see something that needs attention, and because I'm affiliated with
the organization and take pride in my work, often come up with a quick and
low-cost (or no-cost) solution. Like Mike, these things usually get added
to my plate, which is fine.

Back in the other assignments area:

   - Researcher
   - Trade Show Co-Planner/Attendant
   - Software Integrator
   - Continuity Checker (especially in relation to overall company/project
   branding)
   - Specifier/Recommender
   - Purchasing Agent
   - Typographer
   - Artist/Art Director
   - Software/Hardware Development
   - Printing Liaison
   - Troubleshooter
   - (Ad Hoc) Help Desk (sometimes feels like Mr. Know-It-All on *The Rocky
   & Bullwinkle Show*)
   - Writing Coach
   - Banner/Poster Creator

> Chris

On Thu, Dec 25, 2014 at 12:01 AM, Mike Starr <mike -at- writestarr -dot- com> wrote:

> I've done most of the things Chris and Erica itemized but a few that
> haven't cropped up are:
> mentoring
> user interface redesign
> testing utility development
> creating bills of materials for documentation assemblies (back when there
> were individual manual sections in 3-ring binders)
> building custom displays for trade shows
> template development
> internal resource for Microsoft Word
> VBA development for document automation in Microsoft Word
> critic at large
>
> However, many of these functions weren't things I was asked to do... in a
> lot of cases, I saw that they needed to be done and just went ahead and did
> 'em. In other cases, I opened my big mouth in a meeting and said something
> needed to be done and ended up being the one with the task. I generally
> realize before I say something that it could land on me and when I do speak
> up it's partially because I'm either willing or anxious to do it because I
> know I'll do it the right way. That's been the case a number of times with
> user interface design... "if you're so smart, let's see if you can come up
> with something better."
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Mike
> --
> Mike Starr, Writer
> Technical Writer   -    Online Help Developer   -   WordPress Websites
> Graphic Designer - Desktop Publisher - Custom Microsoft Word templates
> (262) 694-1028   -  mike -at- writestarr -dot- com   -  http://www.writestarr.com
> President - Working Writers of Wisconsin http://www.workingwriters.org/
>
> On 12/24/2014 4:06 PM, Craig Cardimon wrote:
>
>>  Hello and Merry Christmas, Whirlers!
>>
>> My manager told me he was pleased with how I've been doing, but that he
>> would like to get me involved even more with the company.
>>
>> In your own experience, what kinds of corporate "chores" have you been
>> asked to apply your skills to as technical communicators?
>>
>> I'll Google around on my own too, and see what I can come up with.
>>
>>
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