Be Selfish: Invest In Yourself!

by Jean Fudge, President, SWO Chapter of STC

On my first contracting job, I got some good advice from Harry, a seasoned independent: Invest in yourself. I had just lost my job (for the first of three times … so far) and found myself thrown into the murky world between being an employee and a consultant. I was working as an employee of a headhunter, at a job site where I was viewed as a contractor. I had no benefits, but I didn’t have a full blown tax nightmare, either. This semi-independence taught me some very valuable truths: I am responsible for myself. I am responsible for my health insurance and for keeping my skills up to date. To find my next assignment, I must do my part and more, and not just sit around waiting for the headhunter or an employer to provide opportunities.

Being single and having an extremely strong sense of survival, I learned these lessons quickly and well. After careful consideration, I took the plunge and bought my first computer. Including the laser printer, it cost $4,000 back in 1995. Yipes, stripes! A pretty penny, but it was money well spent. How else could I develop my skills without my own computer? With a computer, I could email from home, develop my Microsoft Office skills, teach myself HTML, publish web pages, and thoroughly explore the rapidly changing world of computers and the internet.

The second time I was unemployed, I bought the latest copy of RoboHelp, which cost about $250. I was determined to use my down time to acquire a new skill: online help authoring.

All the while, I also invested in my STC dues and attended every chapter meeting I possibly could. Where else could I get training and networking for the cost of a dinner? Each time I found myself in the job market, I had a group of long time STC friends willing to help me in any way they could. The biggest payoff wasn’t in finding a job; it was in my solid sense of camaraderie and knowing that I wasn’t alone.

My point in all this?

We need you to invest in yourself, by investing in STC. We’re putting together the team for next year, and we need your help. We need your ideas for meeting topics. We need you to show up at the meetings. We need you to be an active member, to the best of your ability. Cost is never an issue, because there is no charge to simply attend our regular monthly meetings.

For the past few years, our chapter has consistently won awards. Last year was an especially stellar year: we earned three major awards. This year, we didn’t even qualify to apply for awards. We didn’t’ have enough member involvement to do the tasks.

We need you.

And I think that you will benefit if you help us out. Experience shows that those who give, get. At our April meeting, I found myself marveling at the effect an STC meeting has on me. My mind starts wandering down new paths. New ideas lighten the heaviness that came in the door with me. Once again, I get excited about what I do for a living. For me, a meeting is an energizing experience. A way to nurture and strengthen myself.

So, take the advice that I got from Harry: Invest in yourself. Please come to a meeting. Participate in the bulletin boards on our SWO STC web site. Volunteer to serve on a committee. Get involved in our local Special Interest Groups (SIGs).

Find out what sparks your enthusiasm.

Invest in yourself. Invest in STC.

You’re worth it. And so are we.