(Describer) Beside four different-size different-color circles connected by lines, titles: Career Connections – Technical Writer.
♪
My name is Kelly Metcalf.
I'm a project manager
and technical writer
at O'Neil and Associates.
We do product support--
repair, diagnosis,
operation, training.
Any process that a company
feels they need
to communicate to their
customers or their employees,
that's where we become involved.
I author various types
of instructions
for any original equipment
manufacturer, O.E.M.'s.
I'll interface with the client,
see what their needs are,
and then we author
the corresponding instructions.
We've authored everything
from a blender
to a military vehicle.
We're trying to provide
a satisfying experience
for the end user
that enables them
to quickly and efficiently
repair the equipment
they're working on.
There is a very enjoyable aspect
to this job,
where you're constantly--
bleeding-edge technology.
You're learning about
new equipment
that many people
don't even know exists.
We service both the defense
and commercial industries,
and one rewarding aspect
of servicing those industries
is getting feedback that
the instructions that you wrote
helped someone that may be
in a war-torn country
who's in dire need
of fixing their vehicle
and getting back to safety.
Or when you hear
from a manufacturing plant
that's losing money
for every second
that their equipment is down,
and you helped get that
equipment back up and running.
We'll receive
raw engineering data.
We will thoroughly evaluate
that data
and identify what's pertinent
to the end user
and make that information
easy to read and easy to use.
Our workshop enables us
to have the customer
also provide the equipment.
We actually
physically tear down,
which ensures
the accuracy of the content.
Physically doing a task,
as opposed to simulating it,
ensures that we author
accurate instructions.
It's a procedure we call
"validation and verification."
(Describer) In the workshop, he takes photos of a machine and works at a laptop.
It's the same torque, isn't it?
Between the MH50 and the--
As project manager,
I'm also responsible
for identifying
the scope of projects,
developing plans and schedules,
meeting deadlines.
But there will be
three ongoing panel reviews.
(Describer) He speaks in a meeting.
They'll be kind of
milestone-based.
I also have a team
of four technical writers.
I'm responsible
for their training
and making sure
they're the best they can be.
There are technical writing
certifications and degrees,
but it's very hard to
supplement hands-on experience
and specialized
skill trade training.
What is easier to train in
is grammar and writing style.
So we look for someone that has
that hands-on experience,
and we train them
on the writing aspect.
My family owned
what was probably the largest
dump trucking company
in the Dayton metro area.
At a young age, I was involved
in that business,
and not only did it
pique my interest
in transportation
and internal combustion engines,
it also gave me insight into
the employee-employer dynamic
and how people can work together
and accomplish goals.
I loved creative writing
and math,
so this field suited what I was
interested in in high school.
I graduated high school
and entered the workforce.
Being from
a family-owned business
that was in
the transportation industry,
the transition was easy.
I've received certifications
in diesel repair and diagnosis,
HVAC systems.
These classes were put on
by truck manufacturers
and paid for by my employers.
I was a diesel tech
for eight years.
So I was looking for work
that was more challenging,
but also
less physically demanding.
I saw a posting
for a technical writing job
that required experience
in diesel engine diagnosis,
but also required
strong computer skills.
These were areas
I was strong in,
and it was
a perfect fit for me.
What I enjoy about this job
is that there aren't many
"typical" days.
Most days, I'll meet early
in the morning with my team
to plan the day.
Then I'll review
our project plan and schedule,
make sure that we're on task.
Then I'll be in our workshop
tearing down equipment
and pitching in
on the authoring aspect.
Good communication skills
are key,
but if you like to learn
how things work,
this work's ideal for you.
When I was a diesel technician,
one frustrating aspect
was I felt there was
a low ceiling.
The work was redundant.
I was doing
the same tasks repeatedly.
Now, getting out of bed is easy.
There's always a new challenge,
and if I rise to it,
I'll be rewarded here and know
I accomplished something
and take pride in that work.
(Describer) Titles:
For more information, visit OhioMeansJobs.com.
CET, Think TV, Public Media Connect.
Copyright 2015.
Funding to purchase and make this educational program accessible was provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Contact the Department of Education by telephone at 1-800-USA-LEARN, or online at www.ed.gov.
Funding to purchase and make
this educational production
accessible was provided by the
U.S. Department of Education.
PH:1-800-USA-LEARN (V)
or WEB: www.ed.gov.
♪
