Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?
-Original Message- Mike Starr wrote: I've embraced stagnation since I love being a technical writer and really have no desire to do anything else for a living. I'm always learning new things, get to play with stuff, I've had the privilege of working with some absolutely amazing people (many of whom I've stayed friends with years after we left the company we both worked for) and have the luxury of being able to see tangible results of my work. I've found my niche. - Hooray for you, Mike! I'm in the same boat. I love what I do, and currently, I have no immediate plans to do anything else. Maybe, someday, I might want to manage. Maybe. It's not a driving urge. I'm more likely to go independent if anything. Too many companies are mired in the advance or die mentality (like academia is publish or die). Some managers/companies just can't get their head around someone saying, I like what I do. I see myself still doing this 10 years down the road. I don't want to be the CEO of the company. They completely zone out on the I want to learn new skills, etc. that will increase my knowledge and help me do this job even better. Fortunately, I'm in a position now where the I'm happy doing what I'm doing attitude doesn't seem to be a hindrance. I recently got promoted (they had to create a senior version of my job to do it), and my manager encourages me to learn and try new things, and share with the rest of the department what I find to be useful and helpful. This is about as close to a perfect job as I've ever had. If I didn't have a 45-60 minute commute each way, it would be perfect. :-) -Carla - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?
I just left a contract assignment that was my ideal position... it was just me and three programmers. That was the whole company. However, the company itself is owned by a larger company that controls its sales efforts and mother company thoughtfully doubled prices for this year so sales bottomed out. No sales--no technical writer. I was there for a year and doing great work. I had a wonderful time and they love me. If they were actually making new sales, they'd have kept me on and probably offered me a staff position. I'm pretty sure when things pick up they'll want me back. It was 20 minutes from home, they listened to my ideas and for the most part accepted them. I've been with companies where clawing your way up the corporate ladder was de rigueur and that's not my thing. Corporate life isn't for me... give me a tiny company with a cool product and I'll thrive there. Mike -- Mike StarrWriteStarr Information Services Technical Writer - Online Help Developer -Website developer Graphic Designer-Desktop Publisher - MS Office Expert Phone: (262) 694-1028 - Tollfree: (877) 892-1028 - Fax:(262) 697-6334 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Web: http://www.writestarr.com - Original Message - From: Martinek, Carla [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: techcommpros TCP@techcommpros.com Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 7:57 AM Subject: Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put? -Original Message- Mike Starr wrote: I've embraced stagnation since I love being a technical writer and really have no desire to do anything else for a living. I'm always learning new things, get to play with stuff, I've had the privilege of working with some absolutely amazing people (many of whom I've stayed friends with years after we left the company we both worked for) and have the luxury of being able to see tangible results of my work. I've found my niche. - Hooray for you, Mike! I'm in the same boat. I love what I do, and currently, I have no immediate plans to do anything else. Maybe, someday, I might want to manage. Maybe. It's not a driving urge. I'm more likely to go independent if anything. Too many companies are mired in the advance or die mentality (like academia is publish or die). Some managers/companies just can't get their head around someone saying, I like what I do. I see myself still doing this 10 years down the road. I don't want to be the CEO of the company. They completely zone out on the I want to learn new skills, etc. that will increase my knowledge and help me do this job even better. Fortunately, I'm in a position now where the I'm happy doing what I'm doing attitude doesn't seem to be a hindrance. I recently got promoted (they had to create a senior version of my job to do it), and my manager encourages me to learn and try new things, and share with the rest of the department what I find to be useful and helpful. This is about as close to a perfect job as I've ever had. If I didn't have a 45-60 minute commute each way, it would be perfect. :-) -Carla __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?
A good manager trains their replacement; it's the right thing to do for the company. A bad manager does everything in secret. So, good thoughts, yeah! Cheers, Sean -Original Message- From: Bill Swallow [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] I put down career path info that makes my boss fearful for his/her job. ;-) Seriously, I'm not on a technical track these days. I know where I want to be and what I need to get there, and I put those next-level learning opportunities in my objectives. It makes some managers sweat but others truly embrace it. Usually the ones who embrace thee objectives do so because they're doing the same thing to their boss. ;-) Growth vs. stagnation... any good manager knows there's more value in the former than the latter, and any good manager is NOT fearful for their job. They have no reason to be. On 6/12/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For example, becoming more technically familiar with our products, with the goal of becoming an SME. What do you put as objectives for your career for your employer when doing a self evaluation for an annual review? DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
[TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?
For example, becoming more technically familiar with our products, with the goal of becoming an SME. What do you put as objectives for your career for your employer when doing a self evaluation for an annual review? Cheers. DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?
I put things like stay current in the field and explore new technologies and attend conferences to do those things. I include design and usability objectives. I do not include getting a degree. :) ...sue On 6/12/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For example, becoming more technically familiar with our products, with the goal of becoming an SME. What do you put as objectives for your career for your employer when doing a self evaluation for an annual review? Cheers. DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?
Fair enough. Conferences are not an option; there's no measurable ROI, I believe. Why do you not explore new technologies as part of graduate coursework? Is planning your coursework towards one larger goal, a degree, a bad thing? Must education be self contained, only worthwhile when considered in isolation from other education? I wonder Anyway, I use the new technologies one, yeah. Stay current in the field is nice. I'm on lists, too. And in the STC. Etc. Is staying current growing? I use that one. Cheers, Sean From: Sue Heim [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2007 4:17 PM To: Brierley, Sean Cc: TCP@techcommpros.com Subject: Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put? I put things like stay current in the field and explore new technologies and attend conferences to do those things. I include design and usability objectives. I do not include getting a degree. :) DISCLAIMER: Important Notice * This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?
I put down career path info that makes my boss fearful for his/her job. ;-) Seriously, I'm not on a technical track these days. I know where I want to be and what I need to get there, and I put those next-level learning opportunities in my objectives. It makes some managers sweat but others truly embrace it. Usually the ones who embrace thee objectives do so because they're doing the same thing to their boss. ;-) Growth vs. stagnation... any good manager knows there's more value in the former than the latter, and any good manager is NOT fearful for their job. They have no reason to be. On 6/12/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For example, becoming more technically familiar with our products, with the goal of becoming an SME. What do you put as objectives for your career for your employer when doing a self evaluation for an annual review? -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com avid homebrewer and proud beer snob I see your OOO message and raise you a clue. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?
Usually, it doesn't matter what I put. Either I leave the company, the company folds, or the people who made me put my goals down get laid off or canned. W On 6/12/07, Bill Swallow [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I put down career path info that makes my boss fearful for his/her job. ;-) Seriously, I'm not on a technical track these days. I know where I want to be and what I need to get there, and I put those next-level learning opportunities in my objectives. It makes some managers sweat but others truly embrace it. Usually the ones who embrace thee objectives do so because they're doing the same thing to their boss. ;-) Growth vs. stagnation... any good manager knows there's more value in the former than the latter, and any good manager is NOT fearful for their job. They have no reason to be. On 6/12/07, Brierley, Sean [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: For example, becoming more technically familiar with our products, with the goal of becoming an SME. What do you put as objectives for your career for your employer when doing a self evaluation for an annual review? -- Bill Swallow HATT List Owner WWP-Users List Owner Senior Member STC, TechValley Chapter STC Single-Sourcing SIG Manager http://techcommdood.blogspot.com avid homebrewer and proud beer snob I see your OOO message and raise you a clue. __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com -- Wade Courtney North San Diego County Yahoo: wcourtne http://blog.stinkingbadges.org http://www.frappr.com/elpicoso http://www.myspace.com/elpicoso http://www.linkedin.com/in/wadecourtney Persian Officer: Fools! Our arrows will blot out the sun. Stelios: Then we will fight in the shade! __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
Re: [TCP] self evaluation objectives, what do *you* put?
As the old saying goes, you can't be promoted unless there's someone in the wings ready, willing, and able to take your position. I ALWAYS look for someone to groom as a successor ... sometimes they succeed inside the company, sometimes outside. And I always let me boss know I'm available for something else that might open up ... and my department will be taken care of if it happens. My 2ยข, John G Bill Swallow wrote: I put down career path info that makes my boss fearful for his/her job. ;-) Seriously, I'm not on a technical track these days. I know where I want to be and what I need to get there, and I put those next-level learning opportunities in my objectives. It makes some managers sweat but others truly embrace it. Usually the ones who embrace thee objectives do so because they're doing the same thing to their boss. ;-) __ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com ___ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
