February /March 2004

Volume 44, Number 4

Where things stand

by Frank Tagader, STC RMC President

Quite unexpectedly, my columns have turned introspective this year. Two issues ago, I talked about how I felt working for a company going through an acquisition. Last issue, I dealt with illness and my layoff from my job of nine years. This issue, I do have a little good news: I'm employed.

Whew! I was only without a paycheck for a week, but I can sure sympathize with those of you who have faced layoffs and the arduous process of finding work. Last Sunday's Denver Post (12/28/2003) included a series of articles on people who had gone through layoffs and were either still trying to find work or adapting themselves to the new working environment.

Again, I can relate. I did take a pay cut, and the work I'm doing is not what I would consider a long-range goal. And, there may be a great deal of travel involved. While I am single and don't have too many encumbrances, I still prefer to be close to home. Perhaps if I could choose more interesting places to travel (Dayton, OH, St. Louis, MO, and Montgomery, AL are not my top destination points) I would be foursquare behind it.

But I am relieved. This job will serve me well. I appreciate the leads I got from my fellow technical communicators. Having options is a great thing. After the decline in the tech sector, many of you who lost your jobs didn't have many choices. I am at least encouraged that there seem to be more jobs listed in our field and associated fields.

While I lucked out and stepped into this job, I was considering moving away from technical communication. I think that most of us are feeling the need to adapt our jobs to include other disciplines as it is. And, as evidenced at our November chapter meeting, there is real interest in building resumes that really shine.

Over the next few years, STC itself will be transforming. What direction this change will take is still unclear. There is a transformation team in place at the international level, and while some of their efforts to gather feedback have been awkward and even downright insulting, at least there is recognition that STC must change to meet the needs of the new economy/new technologies.

So, let's think globally and act locally. I would welcome any ideas about directions you think the Rocky Mountain Chapter should take. I maintain that we have a great chapter, but we have seen over the last few years that some of our tried-and true programs and offerings are no longer generating the kind of interest they used to. What do you as a member feel would serve you best? Let me know at Tagader@Comcast.net.

My best wishes to you in 2004. I'm hoping for a better year myself, and I hope that this year is also tremendous for all of you. Thanks.