Significant Career Lesson from a Technical Writer at Global Software Company
Mariel's significant career lesson centers on discerning "what people mean" beyond their words, especially across cultures, and building strong relationships with colleagues, even remotely. This, coupled with the ability to "roll with changes" and tackle seemingly insurmountable workloads, has proven crucial to their success in navigating the challenges of a technical writing career.
Communication, Teamwork, Resilience, Problem-Solving, Overcoming Challenges
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. Understanding the difference between what people say and what they mean is crucial, especially in diverse work environments.
2. Building relationships with colleagues on a personal level improves collaboration and understanding, even in remote settings.
3. Even seemingly impossible workloads can be managed by adapting to change and thinking creatively; perseverance leads to accomplishment.
Transcript
What is one lesson that you have learned that has proven significant in your career?
Just knowing that there's a difference between what people say and what they mean is important. If you listen for what people truly mean, it makes navigating different cultures and languages a lot easier, especially in the workplace.
Connecting with the people you work with on more than just a business level is also crucial. It helps you work better with them and understand them better, even in a remote environment. It's important to make an effort to meet up with people occasionally, even just to say hello and introduce yourself.
Lastly, even if the work seems impossible, like facing a mountain of tasks, it's all about adapting to changes and thinking on your feet. You can do it; it's possible.
I've learned this through many situations. A month goes by, and somehow I've accomplished so much and had so many conversations that I can't even recall the specifics. You process information, publish it, and if it's not something you're constantly thinking about, you won't remember every detail.
But you know you did good work and you did it well. You collaborated with many people and refined everything to the best of your ability, and it's published. So, even if it seems impossible, you can do it.
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