Putting the “technical” into “technical communication”

I came across a Facebook memory that recounted a conversation that I had about a year ago with Erin Gallalee from STC. She had suggested a couple of topics that might be of interest to technical communicators. Each can be a topic in and of themselves, and perhaps at some point soon, I might take …

May speaking engagements #STCSummit #DevOpsDays

I'm looking at my calendar, and am realizing that in just a couple of weeks, I'll be hopping aboard a flight to Minneapolis for STC Summit. And if that wasn't enough, the weekend after that trip, I'll be heading north of the border up to Montréal for DevOpsDays. So, I figured this'd be a good …

Finding the perfect date… um, I mean, job

I'm not sure whether or not this analogy is politically correct, but I also can't think of an analogy that's more perfectly apropos: finding a job is like dating. It's a matter of finding the right match. I started thinking about this after seeing a Facebook memory not long ago, saying that I had been …

We’re hosting a #SQLSaturday! August 3 — save the date! #SQLSat1083 #SQLSatAlbany

It's official! We will be hosting a SQL Saturday here in Albany, NY on August 3! Click the link for more information, to register for the event, or to submit a presentation! SQL Saturday Albany is an all-day technical training event organized by the Capital Area SQL Server User Group. This event provides data-centric training …

#PASSDataCommunitySummit and keeping myself sane

The PASS Data Community Summit Call for Speakers has been open for a few weeks now (the deadline is April 10). Usually, I'd be all over it on the first day that submissions are accepted. However, I will admit that I'm on the fence this year. I've spoken at PASS Summit for four years. I've …

Upcoming speaking engagements (as of 3/11/2024) #UserGroup #STCSummit #DevOpsDays

My 2024 presentation schedule is starting to shape up, so I figured this'd be a good time to post my upcoming speaking schedule update! So far, I have three confirmed events where I will be speaking, Although not all specific speaking dates are set yet, these are the events where I'm confirmed to be speaking. …

I’ve been selected for #STCSummit — again!

The hits keep coming! A week after hearing that I was selected for DevOpsDays Montréal, I received word that I have been selected to speak at STC Summit in Minneapolis on May 17-19! I will be doing my networking presentation, which is one of my favorites! Now the hard part begins: travel planning. These two …

Je parle au Canada! DevOpsDays Montréal May 27-28

My first speaking engagement for 2024 is scheduled! I received news today that I have been accepted to speak at DevOpsDays Montréal on May 27-28! I will be doing my job hunt presentation! I'm excited about this event for a number of reasons. This is my first scheduled presentation for 2024. I always enjoy visiting …

Adjustments

When I was in grad school, I once wrote in a paper that "Ben Franklin had it wrong. There are not two sure things in life; there are three: death, taxes, and change." As I recall, my professor loved that quote, and even asked me if he could use it. The fact is, change happens. …

An open letter to young people entering the job market

This is aimed mainly toward young people who fall into any of the following categories: has graduated from college within the past five years and is actively job searching, has graduated from high school (maybe also within the last five years) and is looking to enter a trade, is still in school (high school, college, …