Between the Lines (BL) recently met up with Jeff Brooks (JB) to get an idea of the day and life of a web developer.
BL: Thank you, Jeff, for taking this time to speak with us. To begin, could you give us an overview on what your company does?

JB: Standard Register is a leading information solutions company with more than 90-years of innovation in improving the way business gets done in financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and other industries. The company helps organizations increase efficiency, reduce costs, enhance security and grow revenue by effectively capturing, managing and using information. Its offerings range from document and label solutions to e-business solutions to consulting and managed services. More information is available at http://www.standardregister.com.

BL: What are some of your responsibilities as a web developer?

JB: Research, design, create, and manage online material whether it be the web or online help. I also develop custom skins for Standard Register customers using the SMARTworks online procurement tool. I also spend time creating new copy and updating existing copy for the different online offerings at SRC.

BL: What is the career path as a web developer? How did you get to where you are today?

JB: With the right training the career path is wide open. Working with the Internet can be as technically challenging as your training will allow.
I started out designing simple sites, using basic navigation. When I started, I used the Windows notepad and entered the tags manually. Having gone through that, I believe I'm a better developer because I can tweak where and when I need to.

Today there are countless WYSIWYG HTML editors that allow anyone that can type to create simple web pages. Many of them help you incorporate animation, graphics, or some simple scripting.

BL: What is your favorite aspect about the job?

JB: Being creative and learning to be more creative. Making a good design work and making it look good. The downside to that is I'm too critical of my own work. I'm rarely satisfied with what I've done. The work environment is nice also. I work with some nice people.

BL: What is your office environment like? Do you work a maze of cubicles?

JB: I work in a quarter cube. There are ovals, with 4-workstations in each oval. There are small walls that separate each workstation. With this setup there's almost no privacy, but it's good for camaraderie.

BL: What types of technical documentation do you or your team produce?

JB: Training documentation, online help, web content, and some computer based training.

BL: What is one of the most difficult aspects of your job?

JB: Basically keeping everything current. There are two of us and we're not always informed of changes in a timely manner.

BL: What motivates you at work?

JB: Well, there's plenty of work to do here, so you're rarely without some sort of deadline. SRC is good about supplying the right equipment and up to date software to do the job. I have a flexible work schedule and I can work at home when I need to. Basically, I'm treated well so I want to do good work.

BL: How does your job differ from other jobs you have held in the technical communications field?

JB: It doesn't differ much except in one case. I had a job where the company was very strict about the hours you worked and what you were doing while you were there. A lot of emphasis on accountability and a lot of micro managing. There wasn't much room for creative thinking at all. It was a hard job (not the work, but the work environment) so I didn't stay long.

BL: What skills do you need in order to do your job?

JB: Well, you have to know how to write. Attention to detail. A technical background is required in some cases, but the willingness to learn is also a good skill. I think in an office environment where you're in close proximity to others you also need people skills.

Thank you, Jeff. It has been most interesting speaking with you about your career.