Thriving in the Oncoming Lane:

Creating Fulfilling Work in the High-Tech Industry

from a presentation made to the STC Region 8 Conference Costa Mesa, CA October 26, 1996

My goal

I hope our discussion can help you:

prepare for a job change
determine what you want
explore your alternatives
rekindle your enthusiasm for the work you do
make realistic and responsible choices

My assumptions

You have been working in computer software or hardware technical publications for at least five years.
You're tired of
You are interested in more rewarding, satisfying work within the same profession.
You have the will/time/money to be able to decline the first offer that comes along.

Preparing for a job change

Prerequisite choices

before

Will I stay in this business because I can do the work, even though I might not want or like to? Am I foregoing what I want to do in favor of what I can or "should" do?
Is now the right time to be looking? Will short-term personal, political, emotional, and/or economic considerations compromise my determination to follow through, or my ultimate decision?
Am I looking for work simply to meet my needs (money, 'belonging', etc) or must it also meet my preferences (convenience, fun, status, etc)?
Am I willing to accept that I might have to build rather than find fulfilling work?

Note: Recognize that nothing will change until you make these choices. Your choice (including the choice not to choose) has immeasurable impact on your future. This is not a game; this is your life.

Determining what you want

Here are some common reasons for seeking a change. Try to name some others.

Different responsibilities (more/fewer responsibilities; exposure to new tools, industries, technology, management/non-management perspectives; etc)
More money (& better benefits, bigger bonuses, more stock options, longer vacations, sabbaticals, matching 401k plan, etc)
More appreciation (more support from management, more autonomy, fewer critics)
Less struggle (fewer political minefields, shorter commute, fewer hours, less insensitive management, telecommuting, flex-time, etc)
Variety
A more ethical or humane work environment that's aligned with your personal values
Stability of a large company ("Downsizing is exhausting, and startups are usually disappointing.")
More profitable company with better morale
"Everyone here is so young and management expects us all to work insane hours."
"I need to escape my reputation, to start afresh...."

As you consider your motivations for changing jobs, you might also wish to consider the following reasons for not wanting to make the change. Can you think of others?

Obvious reasons for not wanting to change

"I like my [boss | location | peers | specialty | industry | benefits | stock options], etc." In other words, "I'm satisfied where I am."
Change is stressful. "I've got enough of what I need; why rock the boat?"
"There's too much uncertainty in my life already. I can't afford the threat to my cash flow, family responsibilities, etc."
"I've never heard of anyone who's done what I want to do. I'm not even sure it's possible."
"I never hear about opportunities for someone with my salary/seniority/responsibilities."
Loyalty (don't laugh)
"I don't want to have to prove myself again."

Not-so-obvious reasons for not wanting to change

"I'm comfortable with my situation; at least it's predictable."
"I like 'belonging,' especially when the alternative is (potentially dangerous) change."
"If I got the job I say I want, I'd have proved that I could do it - and I'd be left with fewer excuses to avoid making the same kinds of changes in the rest of my life."
"If my peers saw me succeed, they'd hold me to a higher standard." or "My friends expect me to try and fail, and they'll be threatened if I disappoint them."
"The job I want is more of a fantasy than a realistic possibility, and deep down I know it."

Note: If you suspect that you are actually getting more than you thought of what you really want, acknowledge that (to yourself) and consider aiming for a different goal. One danger of having too specific a goal is that you might not be flexible enough to recognize the right opportunity and make it work for you (instead of treating it as a compromise or defeat).

Exploring your alternatives

Staying put
Getting a more responsible publications job elsewhere
Becoming a contract technical communicator
Becoming a consultant (one who specifies what work to do but doesn't actually do it)
(for managers) Becoming a contract publications manager
(for managers) Becoming a technical writer again

1. Staying put

*Pros*	*Cons*
It's predictable.	It's predictable.
It's easier (less stressful & disruptive).	It's frustrating.
It preserves my status (seniority, benefits, options, etc).	It can be humiliating.
It's (possibly) less risky.	It's expensive (emotionally, economically, etc).

2. Getting a more responsible publications job elsewhere

*Pros*	*Cons*
More money, status, responsibility	Is it a doable job (or am I being set up to fail)?
Fewer politics (initially)	New politics ("I miss the predictability.")
Honeymoon (grace period)	I have no track record, don't know where the bodies are buried or the mines are laid
A chance to start afresh, jettison troublesome colleagues/staff, and/or implement new ideas	Such positions are rare (or demand more technical qualifications than I have)
New technology to learn and people to work with	Potentially unrealistic or troublesome learning curve

3. Becoming a contract technical communicator

*Pros*	*Cons*
More autonomy	Will I find work (marketing, marketability, motivation, etc)?
Increased convenience (work when you want, where you want, etc)	Expensive & difficult to equip & maintain home office, replace benefits, manage cash flow, etc. (Do I even like working alone/doing it all myself?)
Getting paid by the hour	Am I sufficiently productive (or too fast)?
Increased tax deductions	Complexity of justifying independent contractorhood (recordkeeping, tax changes)
Reduced politics ("I go in, get it done, and leave.")	IRS/FTB intimidation factor (Section 1706 of 1986 tax law, 20 Questions, audits, etc)
Always learning new things	Must stay current technically, own latest tools, etc.
Repeat business is likely (and keeps you feeling 'wanted')	Must 'interview' and 'present' well, inspire confidence, be diplomatic, and compromise.
You're often the hiring manager's peer/equal.	Invoicing and collection hassles
You can renogotiate your rate after every project.	You're an outsider (excluded from parties, events, meetings).
	You must learn to deal with rejection.

4. Becoming a consultant (one who specifies work but doesn't actually do it)

*Pros*	*Cons*
High rates, high visibility	Little such work exists (usually it evolves from existing relationships with decisionmakers).
Leverages technical or industry expertise	Requires extraordinary marketing, persuasive, and diplomatic skills
Short-term projects	Less likely to generate repeat business
Allows more impact on client organization	More responsibility for more factors (posing more risk if your advice is followed)

5. (for managers) Becoming a contract publications manager

*Pros*	*Cons*
High rates, more complete autonomy (to approx $70/hr in the SF Bay Area)	Few such jobs exist; they must usually be developed using one's connections.
Uses (demands) a range of skills, both technical and professional	Requires excellent connections and tolerance for chaos, above-average diplomacy and patience, great project management skills
Allows more impact on client organization	More responsibility for more factors (posing more risk if your project fails)
Variety (most are short-term projects)	Little repeat business
Non-stop 'learning opportunities'	Requires constant vigilance (for new projects as well as potential threats to the existing one)
Ideal for 'department-builders' and 'hands-on, working managers'	Not suited to 'people managers' without technical or tools skills

6. (for managers) Becoming a technical writer again

*Pros*	*Cons*
Fewer politics, interruptions	Less money (usually), responsibility, prestige, influence
Saner, more defined work objectives	Status-conscious might view it as a professional failure
Allows you to leverage your technical and/or industry expertise	Confuses future managers ("might he/she want my job?")
Work with same team and retain your benefits	Can everything ever be 'like it used to be'?
Regain lost technical/tool skills

Rekindle your enthusiasm for the work you do

Before you do so, reflect for a moment on what is exciting and worthwhile about what you want to do. If you don't value yourself and your contribution, you can't expect those around you to do so.

Remember:

I am the bridge between the product's creator and its users.
I represent the user's interests to the development team.
I catalyze changes in the product to make it more effective and usable.
I am (one of) the first to learn about product changes, and the only one who can explain their significance to users.
I am a key member of the product team; without me, there is no product (especially true if you author online help).
I have mastered tools that others only think they can use.
I have proven my ability to learn quickly and synthesize relevant information for a specific audience.
I am the focal point of a vast amount of complex, dynamic information.
I write better than any engineer.
My knowledge of the product, and working relationship with the subject-matter experts, is valuable and not easily replaced.
Anyone who says they can do my job better than I do has never tried.

Making realistic and responsible choices

There is no perfect solution for any given person or situation. Here, however, are some questions to ask yourself to gain focus on whether you've made the right decision for you.

With what you know now about the alternative you've chosen:

Will what you learn and achieve in the next six months improve your overall marketability?
Are you willing to commit all reasonable resources (personal, emotional, physical, financial, etc) to making your choice successful?
Do you know your boundaries (in terms of emotional, financial, and physical commitment, etc) and will you promise yourself to re-evaluate your choice if those boundaries are violated?
If a good friend were contemplating the same choice, what questions would you ask him or her? What concerns would you have regarding your friend's replies? Are you comfortable that 'your friend' is responding to all the evidence (internal & external)? Would you make the same choice? Put more simply, does it feel right?

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