Wednesday, March 18, 2009

How to Get Hired and Stay Hired in this Tough Economy

Panelists:
Karen Giventer, Independent Technical Writer
Denise Dunne, President of Wayside Professionals
Arun Jain, President of Bay State Documentation and First Vice President of STC Boston Chapter
Carol Szatkowski, President of Clear Points Consultants, Inc. (Moderator)
Lauren MacArthur, Partner, Winter Wyman & Co.

This program is being sponsored and co-hosted by the College of Professional Studies, Northeastern University. The panel discussion will be preceded by a 5 to 7 minute presentation titled: "The Place of Graduate Studies in a Tight Labor Market." This presentation will also provide an overview of the reconstituted Master of Science in Technical Communication at Northeastern University. The presenter will be Eric D. Kupferberg, PhD., Assistant Dean, Academic & Faculty Affairs, and Director Program in Technical Communications, College of Professional Studies, Northeastern University.

This is the worst economy any of us has seen. Companies are laying off employees, and new jobs are scarce. So what's a technical writer to do in these tough economic conditions? Is your job search any different in today's difficult conditions - if so, how?

Come hear from a panel of experts how you can go about finding and keeping jobs in this environment. Specifically, we plan to address:

• What are the best practices for your job search
• How is a technical writer's job changing over time
• How can you increase your value to the company so you cannot be fired
• Other topics

This will be an interactive panel session. Each panelist will provide opening comments, but the main focus is to answer your questions about job search in general, and anything specific issue you may need help with.

Karen Giventer is an active member of STC Boston and a career contract technical writer. She enjoys sharing her job searching techniques and experiences with others and is a frequent presenter on the subject of job searching. Karen is a past leader of the Consulting and Independent Contracting SIG and has held many other leadership positions with STC Boston. Karen is very enthusiastic and optimistic about opportunities for technical writers (Yes! Even in this market!)

Denise Dunne is President and owner of Wayside Professionals, Inc., which is a staffing agency specializing in contract and permanent placement of Documentation Professionals. Denise was prior owner of Micro Tech Professionals, Inc., which she sold in 2001 to Thinkpath, Inc. She has worked in the personnel placement industry during the past three economic recessions. Denise was President of STC Boston in 2000–2001. She has been an active member of STC since 1987. She is also a member of New England Human Resource Association.

Arun Jain is Founder & President of Bay State Documentation, which provides technical documentation services for Boston area companies. Before founding Bay State Documentation, Arun spent 20 years in sales and marketing roles where he hired and managed large teams of technology and business professionals. Arun is an active member of the TiE group where he co-chaired the Software SIG. He is also a past Board member of the Boston ENET group. Arun holds a BSEE from University of Delhi, India and an MBA from University of Illinois.

Carol Szatkowski founded Clear Point Consultants, Inc. (www.clearpnt.com) in 1989 as a niche placement agency specializing in technical communication and training professionals. Carol is well known for promoting the profession, speaking to local Technical Writing programs and dispensing career advice as she sees it.

Lauren MacArthur joined Winter, Wyman in 1990 to start the Information Design and Delivery division. In her role as Partner, Lauren consults with some of New England's most advanced companies to recruit highly specialized writers, trainers, user interface and web design professionals. Before joining Winter, Wyman, Lauren was President of Fanning Personnel and Uniforce Temporaries of Waltham. She is a Certified Personnel Consultant with many years in managing the newsletter and certification for the Massachusetts Association of Personnel Consultants. She is actively involved with Winter, Wyman's community development and green initiatives.

6:30 - 7:00 pm	Registration and networking
7:00 - 9:00 pm	Program

Northeastern University (Note the change in location)
145 South Bedford Street
Burlington, MA 01803
Map and Directions (PDF, 27 KB)

STC-Boston chapter and Northern New England chapter members	Free*
Other STC members and non-members	$10

Please register online for this meeting by March 15.

* Boston and NNE chpater members: When registering, click either By check or PayPal, but do not pay.

Unlike most monthly program meetings, there will be no dinner or refreshments.

Contact Cindy Cookson, Accountant for the Boston Chapter, by e-mail or phone at 978-409-6112.