With my first semester of graduate school , I am able to reflect on how my undergrad degree is serving me in my program. For those who don't know, I am pursuing my masters in Training and Development.
Graduate school at Stout is not much different than undergraduate, with the exceptions being more reading and writing. It comes to no surprise that technical communication would improve my writing skills, but I was surprised at how much more prepared I was than some of my peers. This reinforces, to me, that technical communication does a fantastic job of preparing us for whatever writing we might do. Additionally, I have to mention that the project management and group skills that technical communication gave me is proving to be a huge asset. While some students fear group projects, I would not want it any other way. When speaking with another grad student from the Twin Cities, she asked me if I had any group projects during the semester. I replied with, "I have three group projects at the moment," and she about fell out of her chair! During her first semester of grad school, she had one group project and feared it to death.
Also, I am happy to say that I landed a part time LTE position on campus during the spring semester. I will be the " LTE Graduate School Web Converstion Project Coordinator," which basically means I'll be updating the grad school website both with new content and templates.
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
It's not all about writing manuals
My first memory at Stout takes place in Bruce Maylath's office. I had no idea who he was or the fact that he was a "giant" in the field of Technical Communication. Anyways, *thud*, suddenly a 50 something page manual falls on the table in front of me. "This is a product of one of my courses," he says, (Ahhhhhh run away) <-- Me. But, I stuck with it, which was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm graduated, working full-time, and nowhere near a manual.
I'm not saying that writing manuals for a living stinks; it's just not right for me. As a technical communicator you can do much more with your degree than just writing. You build skills in oral communication, teamwork, computer systems, grammar, editing, writing, leadership and project management. You are soooo marketable!
That's all I have, enjoy.
I'm not saying that writing manuals for a living stinks; it's just not right for me. As a technical communicator you can do much more with your degree than just writing. You build skills in oral communication, teamwork, computer systems, grammar, editing, writing, leadership and project management. You are soooo marketable!
That's all I have, enjoy.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
The Job Search
Hey everyone--
Here is what I have learned while trying to find an internship:
--Be Patient. I have been shopping for an internship since December 2007 and it took until August 2008 to find one that fits me. I interviewed at a couple of companies during that time and the third company that I interviewed at offered me a position.
--Don't Get Upset. I felt great about how all of my interviews went but I still got denied twice. I was upset but I knew that I had to keep on searching and eventually I would find something. When I interviewed at my current job I knew that I had the position. It's pretty amazing but you will know that you're getting the job after a great interview.
--Never Stop Searching. Even though I was waiting to hear from a company I kept on job searching. It's a good thing that I did because the company that I was waiting to hear from never got back to me (even though they said that they would and after I emailed them) and I ended up getting a job while waiting to hear about a different one.
--Don't Lie. I was brutally honest at a interview and that is the job that I got. Always tell the truth because people take notes during interviews and it's easy to get caught in a lie. At my current employer they wanted five years of technical writing experience. They asked me how much experience I had and I said that other than school projects, I have none.
--Go After Your Dream Job. Internships are a great way to get into a company that you have dreamed about. I emailed a company and asked them if they could take a full-time position and turn it into an internship, and they did. After they created the internship, I got an email from them telling me to apply for the position. This company had never met me but they new that I was interested because I contacted them via email.
--Have A Solid Resume. My current employer complimented me on the document design and the usability of my resume. It was great because it gave me the opportunity to explain how and why I created my resume.
--Have A Paper Portfolio. I printed everything that I have done in school and made a portfolio out of it. I'm glad I did it because none of the companies that I interviewed at would let me turn my laptop on. Many companies are still paper based and you should have a physical paper portfolio for them to look at.
--Research The Company. If you have an interview make sure you research the company (even if you know the company, still read their Web site). I got my job because I researched the company. They asked me questions about themselves and I had all of the answers.
One time, my brother did not research a company and he told me a great story:
"I interviewed for a teaching position at a college once. They asked me what they did. I said that you're a college. They said that the interview was over."
--Accept All Interviews. Even if you don't want to work for a company, interview there if you can. The more you interview the better and more relaxed you will become. At my current job, I was interviewed by a three people at the same time and I did not feel intimidated. I was prepared because I had already interviewed at a couple other companies. After my interview, the president of the company told me that I did an excellent job because I was relaxed, confident and told them everything that they wanted to hear.
This is everything that I found to be important. I hope this helps you and good luck with the job search.
--Nate
Here is what I have learned while trying to find an internship:
--Be Patient. I have been shopping for an internship since December 2007 and it took until August 2008 to find one that fits me. I interviewed at a couple of companies during that time and the third company that I interviewed at offered me a position.
--Don't Get Upset. I felt great about how all of my interviews went but I still got denied twice. I was upset but I knew that I had to keep on searching and eventually I would find something. When I interviewed at my current job I knew that I had the position. It's pretty amazing but you will know that you're getting the job after a great interview.
--Never Stop Searching. Even though I was waiting to hear from a company I kept on job searching. It's a good thing that I did because the company that I was waiting to hear from never got back to me (even though they said that they would and after I emailed them) and I ended up getting a job while waiting to hear about a different one.
--Don't Lie. I was brutally honest at a interview and that is the job that I got. Always tell the truth because people take notes during interviews and it's easy to get caught in a lie. At my current employer they wanted five years of technical writing experience. They asked me how much experience I had and I said that other than school projects, I have none.
--Go After Your Dream Job. Internships are a great way to get into a company that you have dreamed about. I emailed a company and asked them if they could take a full-time position and turn it into an internship, and they did. After they created the internship, I got an email from them telling me to apply for the position. This company had never met me but they new that I was interested because I contacted them via email.
--Have A Solid Resume. My current employer complimented me on the document design and the usability of my resume. It was great because it gave me the opportunity to explain how and why I created my resume.
--Have A Paper Portfolio. I printed everything that I have done in school and made a portfolio out of it. I'm glad I did it because none of the companies that I interviewed at would let me turn my laptop on. Many companies are still paper based and you should have a physical paper portfolio for them to look at.
--Research The Company. If you have an interview make sure you research the company (even if you know the company, still read their Web site). I got my job because I researched the company. They asked me questions about themselves and I had all of the answers.
One time, my brother did not research a company and he told me a great story:
"I interviewed for a teaching position at a college once. They asked me what they did. I said that you're a college. They said that the interview was over."
--Accept All Interviews. Even if you don't want to work for a company, interview there if you can. The more you interview the better and more relaxed you will become. At my current job, I was interviewed by a three people at the same time and I did not feel intimidated. I was prepared because I had already interviewed at a couple other companies. After my interview, the president of the company told me that I did an excellent job because I was relaxed, confident and told them everything that they wanted to hear.
This is everything that I found to be important. I hope this helps you and good luck with the job search.
--Nate
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
I CAN HAZ BLOG!!1
Another day, another dollars as they say. But starting my new job here at FindLaw (followed by the required "A Thomson-Reuters business") it seems that another day follows up with...another day. But I suppose that is the start of what all these scary people call "the real world." Ooh, aah *cue the scary music*
Having started on the 20th of May, I feel like I was going to be behind everyone else. Apparently some people have yet to begin working at their respective jobs for the summer. So this eased my worries a little bit. But here I sit now computerless, nonexistent to the servers here, and using my school laptop as I write this. I suppose it could be worse...I could be grinning through my teeth, wearing a lame apron, and pretending to be nice to people. Hooray for Perkins Family Restaurant!
So this is basically the ramblings of a guy a week into his first "real world" job. And I have to admit, a lot of things remind me of Office Space around here. Especially as I sit here in my little cube, in my little world, in the enormous cube farm. On second thought, it's more like the Matrix. Endless fields of employees in respective chambers waiting to be harvested for their knowledge! Oh noes!!
But I've digressed a little too much. But I suppose that's how my mind rolls when I all of a sudden have the urge to try this "sensation" called blogging. As ridiculous as it sounds. The concept of starting actual work sparks curiosity to me because. So far lectures, orientation (three days of it), and other presentations have been the basis of my days thus far. But for now I will sit here and remain computerless awaiting that moment called "the real world." And I guess I will see what all the fuss (or is it complaints?) is about.
Having started on the 20th of May, I feel like I was going to be behind everyone else. Apparently some people have yet to begin working at their respective jobs for the summer. So this eased my worries a little bit. But here I sit now computerless, nonexistent to the servers here, and using my school laptop as I write this. I suppose it could be worse...I could be grinning through my teeth, wearing a lame apron, and pretending to be nice to people. Hooray for Perkins Family Restaurant!
So this is basically the ramblings of a guy a week into his first "real world" job. And I have to admit, a lot of things remind me of Office Space around here. Especially as I sit here in my little cube, in my little world, in the enormous cube farm. On second thought, it's more like the Matrix. Endless fields of employees in respective chambers waiting to be harvested for their knowledge! Oh noes!!
But I've digressed a little too much. But I suppose that's how my mind rolls when I all of a sudden have the urge to try this "sensation" called blogging. As ridiculous as it sounds. The concept of starting actual work sparks curiosity to me because. So far lectures, orientation (three days of it), and other presentations have been the basis of my days thus far. But for now I will sit here and remain computerless awaiting that moment called "the real world." And I guess I will see what all the fuss (or is it complaints?) is about.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A few thoughts on work-ethic.
I've been away from Stout for only a few weeks but I've already seen such a drastic change in the type of students I am surrounded by now. I've been bumming around the Cal Poly campus for the last few days just getting to know the area and seeing a new campus. They are on the quarter system so they just had mid-terms, the campus is quite abuzz. Anyway, what I've come to find is that people in the west, at least in this particular city/campus have a completely different collective personality and attitude than people in the midwest.
Here, they are far less humble; people tend to brag up their miniscule accomplishments because nobody will challenge the validity of said bragging. The work ethic is not as strong here, students at this school are typically white-collar born and raised and have not faced any real challenge in their life. They tend to have an "I deserve this because that's what I've always gotten" mentality about them. They don't work as hard because they don't have to. I've sat in on a few of my dad's classes to see that many do not take anything seriously.
Now that's not to say that there aren't hard-working, humble, and middle-class people here, but it's not the majority that's for sure. Just an interesting observation I thought I'd point out; to kind of congratulate people at Stout for being such hard workers and for earning everything that's given to them rather than just feeling entitled to it! Bravo!
Anyway, I'm going off to NASA on May 31st and will be there until August 9th. There have been some bumps in the road getting details worked out but now everything seems to be fitting into place. I will be staying in Harbor Hall on the Univ. of Maryland-Baltimore County campus. I can't wait to get out there and start seeing things! If you are interested in pictures, postings and other thoughts from my trip (to California and Maryland) you can visit blog.mlswanson.net for al that good stuff.
Hope everyone is having a good summer (the short bit of it that we've had so far, anyway).
Here, they are far less humble; people tend to brag up their miniscule accomplishments because nobody will challenge the validity of said bragging. The work ethic is not as strong here, students at this school are typically white-collar born and raised and have not faced any real challenge in their life. They tend to have an "I deserve this because that's what I've always gotten" mentality about them. They don't work as hard because they don't have to. I've sat in on a few of my dad's classes to see that many do not take anything seriously.
Now that's not to say that there aren't hard-working, humble, and middle-class people here, but it's not the majority that's for sure. Just an interesting observation I thought I'd point out; to kind of congratulate people at Stout for being such hard workers and for earning everything that's given to them rather than just feeling entitled to it! Bravo!
Anyway, I'm going off to NASA on May 31st and will be there until August 9th. There have been some bumps in the road getting details worked out but now everything seems to be fitting into place. I will be staying in Harbor Hall on the Univ. of Maryland-Baltimore County campus. I can't wait to get out there and start seeing things! If you are interested in pictures, postings and other thoughts from my trip (to California and Maryland) you can visit blog.mlswanson.net for al that good stuff.
Hope everyone is having a good summer (the short bit of it that we've had so far, anyway).
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
After Graduation and Such..
I thought I'd strike up a conversation since no one has blogged since before graduation. Come on people, keep the blog alive! What is everyone doing now? I know many of us have obtained internships or jobs, so lets hear about them. There is not much I can say about my internship since today was only my second day, but what I can tell you is, "so far, so good." I am part of a project management team at FindLaw which deals with second year services. In a nutshell, we manage the updates in existing clients' sites. I like it a lot so far. In just two days, I feel like I have utilized a ton of the skills that I developed in the Tech Comm program. So, what are you doing?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tech Comm Success
It's official. I have been offered and have taken a job at the University of Minnesota. The position I got is Associate Editor/Technical Writer in the Office of Communication and Advancement, which is a sub section of the Office of Information and Technology. The OIT is responsible for implementing new technological projects throughout the university. Right now, they are working on bringing wireless internet to the entire campus. This is something I feel I can help them with. Coming from a wireless campus, I have pretty good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of working on a wireless campus.
I am really excited for this opportunity. This job is a perfect match for my skills. It's almost like they designed this job specifically for me. I will be performing a wide range of tasks in this position. I will be writing technical documentation for the technological projects that the OIT is working on. I will also be writing news articles that will be posted on the office's website. Also, I will be editing my colleagues work. I will also be working with the web designers to help make the website more navigable.
It all sounds really exciting to me. I am happy I will be making 40,000 dollars a year with full benefits. To me, it sounds like a great place to start a Tech Comm career. I'll keep you all posted after I actually start and can be more specific about my job duties.
I am really excited for this opportunity. This job is a perfect match for my skills. It's almost like they designed this job specifically for me. I will be performing a wide range of tasks in this position. I will be writing technical documentation for the technological projects that the OIT is working on. I will also be writing news articles that will be posted on the office's website. Also, I will be editing my colleagues work. I will also be working with the web designers to help make the website more navigable.
It all sounds really exciting to me. I am happy I will be making 40,000 dollars a year with full benefits. To me, it sounds like a great place to start a Tech Comm career. I'll keep you all posted after I actually start and can be more specific about my job duties.
What the Future Holds
I'm excited to report that it is official! I have been offered, and have accepted, a position in the People Development & Diversity division of Human Resources at the Goddard Space Flight Center (NASA) in Greenbelt Maryland. I will be working there from June 2nd to August 8. After that, I have a vast array of options open, I could continue working with NASA (if there is a fit and I like it) but only as a student, which means I'd have to find a way to afford grad school in Maryland (which would be cool because there is a "Human Centered Computing" MS that I am very interested in)... or, I can (and will probably be more likely to) return to California and take up the MBA program at Cal Poly. Either way, I'm excited for what the summer holds and for what having NASA on my resume might do for my marketability!
As we approach graduation (holy smokes it's less than 2 weeks now), I am optimistic and in great anticipation for what the future holds; not just for myself, but for my other fellow TCOM graduates. Make sure "ya'll" keep in touch now! :-)
As we approach graduation (holy smokes it's less than 2 weeks now), I am optimistic and in great anticipation for what the future holds; not just for myself, but for my other fellow TCOM graduates. Make sure "ya'll" keep in touch now! :-)
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Saying goodbye
I am in the process of finishing up my final semester here at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and as these past five years comes to a close I realize how much my time here has meant to me. I am proud of myself that I did not waste my time. I am sad that I am leaving but excited about the future - for those of you who don't know, I am moving to Dallas, Texas to work as the Assistant Layout Editor and a writer/copy editor for a newspaper in Dallas. It's a huge change and of course there are a milieu of things going through my brain, but I feel that my time as a technical communication student has prepared me for fully optimizing my potential in the real world.
My advice to those who have not had their stint in the real world: don't sweat it. The world is full of people who think they are better than you, but do not let them intimidate you because they are suffering from deluded complexes.
Work yourself to the brink at Stout. Learn as much as you can, develop as many tech comm skills as you can possible pull out of yourself.
Speak with your professors, even if you don't like them. Bother them in their offices, run them down on the sidewalk and greet them in the hallways. As contacts and resources, they will help you out later in life more than you realize, and once you're out there trying to make it, you will need all the help you can get.
Start early. Freelance while you're still a student, even if it's just simple things like making a poster for a band or helping somebody edit a brochure...everyone is useful as a networking tool. The more experience you get working as a client, the more desirable you are to those who would hire you. Keep track of anything and everything you do in school; they might be excellent for items in your portfolio. Make things on your own just for fun and for God's sake, Learn Photoshop!
My advice to those who have not had their stint in the real world: don't sweat it. The world is full of people who think they are better than you, but do not let them intimidate you because they are suffering from deluded complexes.
Work yourself to the brink at Stout. Learn as much as you can, develop as many tech comm skills as you can possible pull out of yourself.
Speak with your professors, even if you don't like them. Bother them in their offices, run them down on the sidewalk and greet them in the hallways. As contacts and resources, they will help you out later in life more than you realize, and once you're out there trying to make it, you will need all the help you can get.
Start early. Freelance while you're still a student, even if it's just simple things like making a poster for a band or helping somebody edit a brochure...everyone is useful as a networking tool. The more experience you get working as a client, the more desirable you are to those who would hire you. Keep track of anything and everything you do in school; they might be excellent for items in your portfolio. Make things on your own just for fun and for God's sake, Learn Photoshop!
How do I post blog?
Hello all, Kevin here finally posting on this blog.
So I sit here attempting to figure out what to say and I have a feeling I'm just going to end up rambling for a long time about nothing. But here goes!
As of March I received news that I was accepted for my internship at Thomson West! Check the link after the jump. At any rate, I'll be doing work in the Search Marketing department helping do research in search optimization and reporting findings. Should be an interesting new experience.
Other than that I really don't have much else to say. I used to do some blogging back in the day (on a little thing known as Xanga from waaaaay back when). But it really had nothing interesting to say. Hmm, kind of like right now. Oh well...
So I sit here attempting to figure out what to say and I have a feeling I'm just going to end up rambling for a long time about nothing. But here goes!
As of March I received news that I was accepted for my internship at Thomson West! Check the link after the jump. At any rate, I'll be doing work in the Search Marketing department helping do research in search optimization and reporting findings. Should be an interesting new experience.
Other than that I really don't have much else to say. I used to do some blogging back in the day (on a little thing known as Xanga from waaaaay back when). But it really had nothing interesting to say. Hmm, kind of like right now. Oh well...
Thursday, April 17, 2008
A long journey in such a short time...
Hello all. My name is Katie Thiel. I am a graduate of the Technical Communication program (May '07) and former STC President. I have read many of the posts on the blog. I think this is a great way for past and present Tech. Comm. students to communicate!
I guess I wanted to give a little bit about my story. My title of this post is "A long journey in such a short time..." It definitely has been. I started looking for an internship in the Fall of 2005. I scored a great opportunity in a small town, near my hometown at a company called Magnum Products LLC (www.m-p-llc.com). I currently work there today! Through my time there, during my internship and full-time employment, I have held four different jobs, and now, I would have to say is my favorite position yet! I am now Project Coordinator. Having the opportunity to work with all the departments within the company has been such an eye-opening experience for me. I am able to use my documentation, communication, and social skills to help maintain and drive projects from conception to completion. It's really rather interesting. Yes, the company does build a unique product, not one that many hear of (trash pumps, Mr. Livesey), but all I have to say is, no matter what the company makes, produces, whatever, if you love your job, it makes all the difference.
My best advice for those who are about to graduate: keep an open mind and try you best. There were times I questioned whether I should do something different, but I stuck with it, and I am super happy that I did!
I guess I wanted to give a little bit about my story. My title of this post is "A long journey in such a short time..." It definitely has been. I started looking for an internship in the Fall of 2005. I scored a great opportunity in a small town, near my hometown at a company called Magnum Products LLC (www.m-p-llc.com). I currently work there today! Through my time there, during my internship and full-time employment, I have held four different jobs, and now, I would have to say is my favorite position yet! I am now Project Coordinator. Having the opportunity to work with all the departments within the company has been such an eye-opening experience for me. I am able to use my documentation, communication, and social skills to help maintain and drive projects from conception to completion. It's really rather interesting. Yes, the company does build a unique product, not one that many hear of (trash pumps, Mr. Livesey), but all I have to say is, no matter what the company makes, produces, whatever, if you love your job, it makes all the difference.
My best advice for those who are about to graduate: keep an open mind and try you best. There were times I questioned whether I should do something different, but I stuck with it, and I am super happy that I did!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The BS vs MS Dilemma
I'm finding myself at a bit of a deciding-point regarding the job search. I had been looking for the last 2-3 months in the Twin Cities Metro area and have had little to no success. Many of the jobs I found in a field related to Tech Comm (or the field itself) ended up wanting a BS and like 5 years of experience post-grad (or they wanted an MS). Um HELLO!? How can anyone start a career if their BS isn't enough? How can people expect us to get our careers started this way? Now granted, as Livesey mentioned, that can be a hopeful not a requirement--but the jobs I applied for all turned me down citing that very fact--lack of experience. The only jobs I can find that I'd likely get, pay $10 an hour and are crummy service jobs. How can I build 5 years of experience working in the field if I'm reduced to a job at Target in the check-out lane?! I'm frustrated! Maybe it's just the market in TC area, I've heard other people in other fields say that it's just saturated and not much to be found.
On another note, I have been talking with a woman from NASA Goddard Space Center in Maryland (6 miles from DC)--she had made it seem like she had a job offer to make (at first). Now, I'm not quite so sure there's going to be any decisions made any time soon. I keep getting bounced around in e-mail messages and no follow-up interviews have been set. Since it's getting so clsoe to G-Day (graduation) I think I'm going to make the plan to fly back to California now. Stay with the folks, look for a crappy job, (I figure if I have to take a crappy job I might as well have one in sunny & warm rather than frozen & dull) then see what happens. I would like to start doing some freelance work (writing / design) for local non-profits. I think that would be a good start. Once I get established, I will begin applying for Grad School (probably at CalPoly in the town my parents live in).
So, that's my plan, Californa or bust! Hopefully not bust!
I don't blame the degree, I don't blame the school, I don't attribute this to any lack of performance or ability on my part--I simply think the job market right now is very ill-tempered and difficult.... Darn politicians!
On another note, I have been talking with a woman from NASA Goddard Space Center in Maryland (6 miles from DC)--she had made it seem like she had a job offer to make (at first). Now, I'm not quite so sure there's going to be any decisions made any time soon. I keep getting bounced around in e-mail messages and no follow-up interviews have been set. Since it's getting so clsoe to G-Day (graduation) I think I'm going to make the plan to fly back to California now. Stay with the folks, look for a crappy job, (I figure if I have to take a crappy job I might as well have one in sunny & warm rather than frozen & dull) then see what happens. I would like to start doing some freelance work (writing / design) for local non-profits. I think that would be a good start. Once I get established, I will begin applying for Grad School (probably at CalPoly in the town my parents live in).
So, that's my plan, Californa or bust! Hopefully not bust!
I don't blame the degree, I don't blame the school, I don't attribute this to any lack of performance or ability on my part--I simply think the job market right now is very ill-tempered and difficult.... Darn politicians!
Different Kinds of Interviews
Recently I had the opportunity to interview with a Boulder, CO based solar company. Having never had an interview before, I didn't know what to expect except for what we were told by the tech comm program director, Matt Livesey and other stories that were told by my peers. So, somewhat nervous, I sliced my hair off, borrowed some clothes from my older brother and headed off toward Denver for the interview.
We met at The Watercourse, an all vegetarian restaurant near downtown Denver, which gave me the impression that they were very earth conscious people and likely of a liberal perspective. This, fortunate enough for me, was perfect because my girlfriend is a staunch vegetarian (which basically makes me one as well) and I myself am of a rather liberal perspective.
I arrived 10 minutes early; they arrived 10 minutes late.
We started things off with a round of freshly squeezed mimosas giving me the impression that it was going to be a rather laid back interview. The interviewing team was comprised of two males and one female, and they were very friendly from the start. The interview itself was more of a personality game more than anything, as we simply talked casually about my interests, made random jokes, spoke a little bit about the company, and briefly touched on the certainty of a "green revolution" (the rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy).
The interview lasted about two hours and four rounds of mimosas, and by the end of it all we really seemed to be hitting it off, joking around and speaking with sarcastic tongues. We hadn't really covered any of the questions that I had prepared myself for ("Why do you feel you'd benefit our company?"; "What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?"; "Are you a Republican?") but I managed to work a few of my prepared answers into our conversations. I felt as though they were more assessing me with regard to whether or not I would "fit in" with the company attitude, rather than whether I was skilled and/or qualified to fit the open position. In fact, by the end of the interview as we were walking out of the restaurant, they asked me if I was going to be hanging around the area for the evening, and whether or not I wanted to meet them for drinks in the evening. Since I was staying with some friends just outside of Boulder, I agreed to meet them, and suggested the Mountain Sun Brewery (a microbrewery on Pearl Street in Boulder that is run off solar power). They said that they would be there at 8:00.
The evening went well, and my time spent at The Waterfront showed to pay off, as Mountain Sun's beers ranged from 10% Double IPAs to 12% Stouts, and a less experienced microbeer drinker would have been floored in no time. The evening proceeded with typical bar talk, again never really touching on the job itself, and by the end of the night they had offered me the job (well, an internship).
It just goes to show that every interview can be different.
We met at The Watercourse, an all vegetarian restaurant near downtown Denver, which gave me the impression that they were very earth conscious people and likely of a liberal perspective. This, fortunate enough for me, was perfect because my girlfriend is a staunch vegetarian (which basically makes me one as well) and I myself am of a rather liberal perspective.
I arrived 10 minutes early; they arrived 10 minutes late.
We started things off with a round of freshly squeezed mimosas giving me the impression that it was going to be a rather laid back interview. The interviewing team was comprised of two males and one female, and they were very friendly from the start. The interview itself was more of a personality game more than anything, as we simply talked casually about my interests, made random jokes, spoke a little bit about the company, and briefly touched on the certainty of a "green revolution" (the rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy).
The interview lasted about two hours and four rounds of mimosas, and by the end of it all we really seemed to be hitting it off, joking around and speaking with sarcastic tongues. We hadn't really covered any of the questions that I had prepared myself for ("Why do you feel you'd benefit our company?"; "What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?"; "Are you a Republican?") but I managed to work a few of my prepared answers into our conversations. I felt as though they were more assessing me with regard to whether or not I would "fit in" with the company attitude, rather than whether I was skilled and/or qualified to fit the open position. In fact, by the end of the interview as we were walking out of the restaurant, they asked me if I was going to be hanging around the area for the evening, and whether or not I wanted to meet them for drinks in the evening. Since I was staying with some friends just outside of Boulder, I agreed to meet them, and suggested the Mountain Sun Brewery (a microbrewery on Pearl Street in Boulder that is run off solar power). They said that they would be there at 8:00.
The evening went well, and my time spent at The Waterfront showed to pay off, as Mountain Sun's beers ranged from 10% Double IPAs to 12% Stouts, and a less experienced microbeer drinker would have been floored in no time. The evening proceeded with typical bar talk, again never really touching on the job itself, and by the end of the night they had offered me the job (well, an internship).
It just goes to show that every interview can be different.
Job Searching
I'm still job searching after Findlaw told me they are "moving on with candidates with more experience." Possibilities I'm looking into are Fredrickson Communications in the cities and web design firms in the cities. My freelance client is also going to pass my resume around to company presidents that he knows through bring on the UWRF industry advisory board. If I somehow don't land a job by graduation then I will be freelancing from home until I land a full time job.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Interview at the University of Minnesota
This past Friday, I interviewed at the University of Minnesota for a Technical Writer position in the Office of Information and Technology. Actually, it was in the Office of Communication and Advancement, which is within the Office of Information and Technology. God bless bureaucracy. I just wanted to take a few minutes to tell people about my experience at the interview, so, hopefully, it will help others that are looking for jobs and may be interviewing soon.
The best advice I can give people that are about to interview is bring a portfolio of your work. This is the first interview I have had that I actually brought my portfolio and I have to admit I really underestimated its power. It made the whole interview process a lot easier. I didn't have to rely on trying to describe projects to them. Any questions they asked me about my experience, I could just open my portfolio and show them the work I did. It was a lot easier to talk about the project when I had something to show.
The interview itself was formal and very structured, but it was also really relaxed. Some of the questioned they asked were very specific about my experience. They asked about my experience news writing, technical writing, editing, and web developing. Luckily for me, I have experience doing all. In our field, these are the types of questions we can expect. This is where the portfolio comes in handy. Employers care more about your experience working on projects than they do about your time spent in classes. I advise you to think about your projects before hand, think about your role in the project and the thought process that went into it. It is a good idea to tell them about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
It's hard to prepare for an interview because you never know what they are going to ask you, but you can prepare for what you want them to know about you. If you can take what you've prepared and shape it to fit their questions, you've got it made. They asked me some weird things like am I good listener and how to do I know? That was a tough one, but I responded by saying what? I wasn't listening. That got a laugh and gave me time to think about a response. It's good to be relaxed, and you should be relaxed because you know, it's only your career on the line. You have to realize the interviewers don't bite. Be yourself during the interview. That's who they want to hirer, not that guy that fakes it for a job. Unless you're a complete tool, your actual personality is going to be a huge selling point. I say have fun and be confident. Do not sell the work you've done short. Be proud of it, and let them know you are ready for the challenges of the job.
That's about all I have to talk about for now. I hope this helps those of you that are looking for jobs and internships. If I don't get the job at the U of M, I will write another blog telling you to ignore all I said in this one. So long for now and take care my Tech Comm Comrades.
The best advice I can give people that are about to interview is bring a portfolio of your work. This is the first interview I have had that I actually brought my portfolio and I have to admit I really underestimated its power. It made the whole interview process a lot easier. I didn't have to rely on trying to describe projects to them. Any questions they asked me about my experience, I could just open my portfolio and show them the work I did. It was a lot easier to talk about the project when I had something to show.
The interview itself was formal and very structured, but it was also really relaxed. Some of the questioned they asked were very specific about my experience. They asked about my experience news writing, technical writing, editing, and web developing. Luckily for me, I have experience doing all. In our field, these are the types of questions we can expect. This is where the portfolio comes in handy. Employers care more about your experience working on projects than they do about your time spent in classes. I advise you to think about your projects before hand, think about your role in the project and the thought process that went into it. It is a good idea to tell them about the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
It's hard to prepare for an interview because you never know what they are going to ask you, but you can prepare for what you want them to know about you. If you can take what you've prepared and shape it to fit their questions, you've got it made. They asked me some weird things like am I good listener and how to do I know? That was a tough one, but I responded by saying what? I wasn't listening. That got a laugh and gave me time to think about a response. It's good to be relaxed, and you should be relaxed because you know, it's only your career on the line. You have to realize the interviewers don't bite. Be yourself during the interview. That's who they want to hirer, not that guy that fakes it for a job. Unless you're a complete tool, your actual personality is going to be a huge selling point. I say have fun and be confident. Do not sell the work you've done short. Be proud of it, and let them know you are ready for the challenges of the job.
That's about all I have to talk about for now. I hope this helps those of you that are looking for jobs and internships. If I don't get the job at the U of M, I will write another blog telling you to ignore all I said in this one. So long for now and take care my Tech Comm Comrades.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Good Luck!
Hello Tech-Commers!
Some may know me, some may not. My name is Garrett Miller and I work for FindLaw in Eagan, MN. I was a Stout grad in Technical Communications. Some of you came to our campus last Friday. Well I just wanted to say it was great to meet all of you! Some are graduating and looking for a job in the "real world" and some are looking for internships. Well I just wanted to post a "Good Luck" to you all. I would love to see us hire more Stout Grads, so apply here at Thomson FindLaw!!
If you have any questions about the company or what I do, feel free to ask! I am happy to see the Tech Comm major grow. Well anyways, back to work! Also, thanks to Andy Hahn for inviting me to this blog. I hope I can give insight and advice to those of you looking to get into the real world, or those of you just wondering what it's like. :)
-Garrett
Some may know me, some may not. My name is Garrett Miller and I work for FindLaw in Eagan, MN. I was a Stout grad in Technical Communications. Some of you came to our campus last Friday. Well I just wanted to say it was great to meet all of you! Some are graduating and looking for a job in the "real world" and some are looking for internships. Well I just wanted to post a "Good Luck" to you all. I would love to see us hire more Stout Grads, so apply here at Thomson FindLaw!!
If you have any questions about the company or what I do, feel free to ask! I am happy to see the Tech Comm major grow. Well anyways, back to work! Also, thanks to Andy Hahn for inviting me to this blog. I hope I can give insight and advice to those of you looking to get into the real world, or those of you just wondering what it's like. :)
-Garrett
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Datatel Internship Experience
Last summer I worked as an intern in the Application and Regulatory Software Documentation department. Sean Hocum interned as well, except that he was in the Tools and Technology department. Datatel has an excellent internship program because atmosphere that they set for us was is very educational, we were given real projects, and they feed us constantly. To better explain what working there was like, I'll break this down into some categories. It's also important to say that they want their documentation interns to have an applied field in computer science, but you may be able to get this waived.
Getting the Internship
I applied for the internship in late January, I think the deadline was approximately January 25th. About 1-2 weeks later I got a phone call saying that they got my application and they were interested in interviewing me. A few days later I got a phone call walking back from class. It turned out that this was my phone interview, so I took it while walking back from class. The interview started while I was leaving Harvey Hall and it was finished before I reached HKMC Hall. A few days after that I received an email stating that I got the internship.
Working at Datatel
The work that Datatel gives their interns is actual work that is relevant to current projects that your team is working on. My position in the Application & Regulatory Software Documentation team meant that I wrote support documentation for Datatel software products. While I did not create brand new content for manuals, I did update a substantial amount of chapters. Most of these updates were the only updates a manual needed, so I then took the manuals through a publishing checklist and published the manual in PDF format to the web. I also did some online documentation for users who were upgrading to a new version of Datatel software.
Datatel has a friendly work environment that is very supporting of interns. Questions are always welcome and your status as an intern does not prohibit you from providing input during meetings. Sean and I were the only documentation interns, as usually they hire only two. However, Datatel hires about 15-17 other interns in programming, accounting, and human resources. Usually once a week there is some type of event were there is free food and there is always the free soda drinks or coffee to keep you going through the day. The dress code is business causal, so guys must where a shirt with a collar and jeans are not allowed. Last summer all of the interns formed strong bonds with each other and constantly hung out in each other's apartments. A hand full of us even joined the softball and volleyball leauges.
Overview
The Datatel internship is definitely a good one. Life in DC is never boring in the summer and you will always have something to do. Plus they hook you up with a free apartment over the summer, so all you have to worry about is your food and entertainment costs, its a real bargain.
Getting the Internship
I applied for the internship in late January, I think the deadline was approximately January 25th. About 1-2 weeks later I got a phone call saying that they got my application and they were interested in interviewing me. A few days later I got a phone call walking back from class. It turned out that this was my phone interview, so I took it while walking back from class. The interview started while I was leaving Harvey Hall and it was finished before I reached HKMC Hall. A few days after that I received an email stating that I got the internship.
Working at Datatel
The work that Datatel gives their interns is actual work that is relevant to current projects that your team is working on. My position in the Application & Regulatory Software Documentation team meant that I wrote support documentation for Datatel software products. While I did not create brand new content for manuals, I did update a substantial amount of chapters. Most of these updates were the only updates a manual needed, so I then took the manuals through a publishing checklist and published the manual in PDF format to the web. I also did some online documentation for users who were upgrading to a new version of Datatel software.
Datatel has a friendly work environment that is very supporting of interns. Questions are always welcome and your status as an intern does not prohibit you from providing input during meetings. Sean and I were the only documentation interns, as usually they hire only two. However, Datatel hires about 15-17 other interns in programming, accounting, and human resources. Usually once a week there is some type of event were there is free food and there is always the free soda drinks or coffee to keep you going through the day. The dress code is business causal, so guys must where a shirt with a collar and jeans are not allowed. Last summer all of the interns formed strong bonds with each other and constantly hung out in each other's apartments. A hand full of us even joined the softball and volleyball leauges.
Overview
The Datatel internship is definitely a good one. Life in DC is never boring in the summer and you will always have something to do. Plus they hook you up with a free apartment over the summer, so all you have to worry about is your food and entertainment costs, its a real bargain.
Graduation on the horizon!
As some of us prepare for graduation, we all have the job search on our minds. Here's my thoughts...
I'm finding in the job search that Tech Comm is SO diverse a field that I can't decide where I want to focus my interests. My applied field is HR Mgt. and my work experience in Food Service / Customer Service Mgt. so I feel somewhat compelled to enter that area of work. The problem I've found so far, is that most jobs want 4-5 years of work experience *in addition to* a 4 year degree. Now I know that often times these are wish lists... but it's a little discouraging.
Can't I just have a fun job?
Why does Tech Comm have to be so darned versitle? Can't we just make it dull, boring, and simplistic like all the crappy majors out there? LOL (sarcasm)
My hope is that, once I actually graduate and move out to Minneapolis, that I'll start to find more jobs that are realistic (since most I've looked at want to hire immediately) so yeah... wish me luck.
So many things I want to do, so few lifetimes to do them in...
I'm finding in the job search that Tech Comm is SO diverse a field that I can't decide where I want to focus my interests. My applied field is HR Mgt. and my work experience in Food Service / Customer Service Mgt. so I feel somewhat compelled to enter that area of work. The problem I've found so far, is that most jobs want 4-5 years of work experience *in addition to* a 4 year degree. Now I know that often times these are wish lists... but it's a little discouraging.
Can't I just have a fun job?
Why does Tech Comm have to be so darned versitle? Can't we just make it dull, boring, and simplistic like all the crappy majors out there? LOL (sarcasm)
My hope is that, once I actually graduate and move out to Minneapolis, that I'll start to find more jobs that are realistic (since most I've looked at want to hire immediately) so yeah... wish me luck.
So many things I want to do, so few lifetimes to do them in...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)