You’re a member of STC – one person in a very large organization. Can you really make a difference in a group that includes more than 18,000 member and 150 chapters worldwide?

Sure you can. In this Techwriter Voices podcast, STC Executive Director Susan Burton told Suncoast chapter members how to have an impact on the profession and the organization.

• Focus on your career.
By focusing on your career and becoming better and better at what you do, you help the profession. Use STC’s resources to hone your skills. For example: attend educational events, research and provide articles for STC publications, and participate on committees. Any of these activities is extremely valuable.

• Tell the technical communication story.
One of the Society’s objectives is to tell our powerful story – the story of the profession and of each individual – that’s you – in the profession.

Believe it or not, you have a story. Your past and present professional activities have made and continue to make a difference. Your communication skills improve your company’s bottom line. Your manuals make the company’s products easier to use. Your safety guidelines save lives. Your procedures keep company officers out of jail. You have an impact.

Susan’s “personal challenge for every member” is this: articulate your story. Come up with an anecdote, a narrative, or brief article about what you have done as a technical communicator to help your company or to improve society at large.

Your powerful story is Job One.