Career Path of a Technical Writer at Global Software Company
Mariel's career path showcases a blend of diverse experiences, starting with retail and coffee shop jobs where they honed bilingual skills and discovered a passion for diverse cultures. This led to roles as a writing tutor and freelance writer, culminating in a tech writer position at Komatsu, a year teaching English in Madrid, and their current role as a technical writer at a global software company, all underpinned by volunteer work teaching English to a refugee family.
Career Exploration, Communication, Bilingualism, Freelance Writing, International Experience
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mariel McSherry
Technical Writer
Global Software Company
University of Arizona 2018
Northern Arizona University, Professional Writing and Educational Technology
Political Science, American Studies
Technology
Communication and Marketing
None Applicable, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Mariel's diverse work experience, including roles as a bilingual sales associate, barista, and writing tutor, demonstrates transferable skills valuable in tech writing, such as communication and working with diverse groups.
2. Her volunteer experience teaching English to a family from Burundi highlights her commitment to cross-cultural communication and adaptability, essential qualities in a global tech writing role.
3. Mariel's freelance writing experience, even on seemingly unrelated topics like construction pipes, provided valuable early career experience and showcased her writing abilities.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, including your experiences in college, any internships, or jobs you had before your current role?
Before my current role, my first job was as a bilingual sales associate at a local mall, serving Spanish speakers. It was a seasonal position.
I also worked as a barista at Starbucks, but I didn't enjoy it after a year. I switched to a local coffee shop, which had a cooler atmosphere and better energy.
There, I could speak both Spanish and English and enjoyed the diverse culture. While attending the University of Arizona, I continued as a barista but also became a writing tutor at the international Writing Center.
I loved cultures and languages, which aligned with my literature studies. After graduating, I became a tech writer at Komatsu, an international company.
Following my time at Komatsu, I taught English in Madrid for a year. Upon returning, I landed my current role, where I am again working as a tech writer.
Two other significant experiences before my current role involved volunteering and freelance writing. I volunteered for the international Refugee Committee, teaching English to a family from Burundi who only spoke Kirundi and Swahili.
I did this in my free time during the summer when I wasn't in school. Additionally, shortly after graduating, I did some freelance writing. While it was about construction pipes and not career-defining at the time, it was important work for me.
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