Career Timeline

Manage a team of engineers and technical writers.

At MongoDB, I started out helping document the Realm mobile database and how it integrates with Atlas Device Sync. I quickly moved into owning the doc sets and test suites for the React Native and Node.js SDKs.

• Lead test-driven documentation for the Realm React Native SDK, Node.js SDK, and Flutter SDK.
• Build and maintain tested apps that are the source for code examples in the SDK documentation.

As part of a docs team, I used a docs-as-code approach to contribute to the Netlify docs. I used the same tools that developers do so that I could be closer to their work and they could more easily contribute to mine.

When I started at Netlify, I covered the core build system and integrations, like build plugins. Later, I documented Netlify's ecosystem integrations. This means I spent a lot of time in the wider web development community and figuring out how various tools and frameworks do their magic on Netlify.

I stepped down as Scrum Master so that I could focus on building a new web platform for the team's documentation.

The platform is made up of two primary pieces:

• A publishing process that transforms Author-it XML into HTML and JSON output.
• A single-page web application built with Vue that consumes the transformed output.

This development work is in addition to my regular documentation responsibilities.

In addition to my technical writer duties, I serve as Scrum Master for one of the two Scrum teams in the Documentation Department. In this role, I enable others to do their jobs more effectively.

Technical writing

• Document mainframe and provider software for 3M HIS' healthcare clients (documents include everything from What's New to reference manuals)
• Collaborate with agile development teams to ensure features are properly documented for each release
• Target various audiences from system administrators to transcriptionists

Web development

• Improve and maintain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for online help
• Create and maintain a Vue.js web app that serves as a team dashboard for online help. Uses Google Analytics APIs to populate relevant data for various reports

Analytics

• Restructure and maintain department Google Analytics account
• Define metrics terms and disseminate information about how metrics can benefit the team and readers

Graphics

• Lead the department graphics team. Use various tools, including Visio, to create professional workflows and system diagrams for product documentation

As part of the HR User Experience team, I gathered, curated, wrote, and edited content for a complete site overhaul.

Primary goals of the project were to simplify the user experience and bring the "human" aspect into eBay's Human Resources content.

I coordinated with dozens of HR SMEs to revamp their content. I also worked with designers and technical experts to ensure that the new content satisfied HR SMEs.

My work at Emsi was multi-faceted and crossed several disciplines.

Blog Content

• Create content for many audiences, primarily higher education institutions
• Write various content types including case studies, data analysis, and product announcements
• Conduct SEO research to ensure the content is easy to find and drives traffic
• Collaborate with design and video team members to create exciting content

Research & Data Analysis

• Research primary audiences and their markets
• Collect data and identify key trends that audiences find valuable
• Analyze large amounts of data for media (newspapers, etc.) requests
• Create graphs and charts using Plot.ly and Tableau

Content Marketing

• Increase conversion rates by employing inbound content marketing concepts
• Align content with needs of clients and sales team
• Contribute to and maintain company voice and brand
• Manage social media channels, engaging audiences through interesting posts

Technical Work

• Understand and employ Emsi's complex software products to inform content creation
• Create, edit, and maintain RFPs and RFP templates

Even though my title at Top Ten Reviews was Writer, my day-to-day tasks involved project management, research, and much more. I often switched gears quickly to meet deadlines.

Project Management

• Evaluate current markets in a given category and request products for review
• Follow-up with submissions team to ensure I receive products before they are needed
• Schedule time for research, writing, editing and publication
• Work with Managing and Copy Editors to get ahead of projects before they start
• Follow-up with web producers and graphics designers to ensure timeliness
• Meet with stakeholders from other departments to ensure my project satisfies demands

Research

• Evaluate a given audience with tools such as the Adobe Marketing Cloud
• Seek out new trends in a given area to identify innovations in technology
• Identify top brands in a given area and find what sets them apart from the marketplace

Hardware Benchmarking

• Develop hardware testing strategies to evaluate a developer's claims of efficacy
• Compare manufacturer specifications with a product's functionality
• Accumulate quantifiable datasets that allow for an apples-to-apples comparisons

Graphic Design

• Have a keen eye for presenting hardware appropriately
• Apply Adobe Photoshop to properly frame images

Writing

• Curate 20 websites, each of which I optimize for SEO and audiences
• Generate over 6,100 words across 11 pages of research-based content for each site
• Write captions for over 56 images taken during testing on each site
• Create engaging content that both satisfies Google search parameters and the readers curiosity

Completed writing internship, creating online content for TopTenReviews.com. Worked with others to create high-quality and engaging content. Researched and compiled an in-depth white paper.

Ensured that events after 4 p.m. began and proceeded smoothly at the student union, which often included troubleshooting A/V problems. Managed multiple concurrent events that were scheduled throughout the building on a regular basis.

Assisted students in creating and correcting essays and other writing material. Designed and edited brochures for the MLA, APA, and Chicago style guides. Worked closely with students to help them develop writing skills and habits.

Edited articles to make sure that they met the standards of The Signpost and AP style.