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About Me

A veteran programmer with ten years of experience at IBM, I bring a deep understanding of software development to my work as a technical writer. I am a combination writer, project organizer, usability test coordinator, teacher, editor, customer advocate and veteran programmer. I have served in all of these roles over the years, mostly in paid positions, but sometimes voluntarily. 

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I started out as a computer programmer for IBM, where I worked for ten years and had the opportunity not only to write software, but to own and update an IBM Redbook; lead a usability test; represent customers such as Sears, International Paper, and JC Penney in beta testing; and teach customers in both Europe and the U.S. about our new software releases and features. For ten years, I educated my children in our home, and then returned to NC State University, earned their Technical Writing Certificate, and began a new career as a technical writer in 2022.

SKILLS

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TECHNICAL WRITING

Five years technical writing at two companies using MS Word, Excel, Visio, Adobe Acrobat; ability to assess and write to the skill level of the audience; experience with style guides; experience with software development life cycle; structured topic-based authoring; experience with technical writing principles and conventions; familiarity with Markdown syntax; clear, concise writing ability; strong grammar; experience designing/organizing original documentation

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COMPUTER

Experienced with: MS Office, Google Docs, Paint.net, MS Movie Maker, Amara Subtitling software, HTML5, CSS3, Visual Studio Code, Canva, Paint 3D, S/370 and 3725 assembler languages, IBM PL3, Wix Editor, some JavaScript, development experience with enterprise software / Systems Network Architecture (SNA) for mainframes, defect-tracking systems. Understanding of: Git, GitHub, and Agile processes; open-source concepts; CI/CD pipelines; Markdown syntax; software publishing tools: Wix, WordPress

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INTERPERSONAL / TEAM SKILLS

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; strong attention to detail; proven record writing procedural guides; ability to collaborate and work well on a team, completing tasks and contributing to achievement of team goals; demonstrated success leading projects and taking accountability for prioritization, execution, and success; strong time-management skills; self-motivated; ability to prioritize tasks and work in a fast-paced environment, work in a global environment, follow through on commitments, and proactively engage subject matter experts in research and planning

EDUCATION

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NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY

  • Professional Writing Certificate Program

       GPA: 4.0​

  • Bachelor of Science, Computer Science

       GPA: 3.6, graduated Magna Cum Laude​

EXPERIENCE

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TECHNICAL WRITER / KNIGHT FEDERAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

(2022 - current)

  • Proposal Writer: Wrote technical approach in bids for many Federal contracts requiring IT, cybersecurity, and network design skills; wrote technical section for the company’s first major prime contract award; prioritized and delivered customer-focused documentation; followed established processes; worked with SMEs to improve accuracy of content; responded to Government Requests for Information (RFIs) and provided teaming partners with writing contributions for proposals; reviewed submitted proposals and customer feedback to foster continuous development; researched products and gathered related technical information

  • Documentation Specialist: Wrote documents detailing work performed for current or recent Federal Government contracts; wrote customer-facing documentation for the Government including technical medical simulation how-to manual, concept of operations (CONOPS) plan, and PowerPoint slides; wrote internal ISO process documents for initial certification; updated/edited the company handbook

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COMPUTER PROGRAMMER / IBM

10 years

  • Technical Writer: Owned and updated IBM Redbook Installation Guide for OS/2 products

  • Programmer: Developed software for Virtual Telecommunications Access Method (VTAM), which uses Systems Network Architecture; Wrote code for 3725 and System/370 machines; developer for Network Control Program (NCP)

  • Usability Test Coordinator: Honed public relations, team leader, project management, and communications skills while leading usability testing with Hershey’s and other IBM customers; designed, implemented, collected data, and worked with SMEs to incorporate changes on the first-ever VTAM usability test

  • Customer Advocate: Served as a customer advocate for International Paper, JC Penney, Sears, and other IBM clients during beta testing

  • Instructor: Taught new-feature VTAM usage and syntax to U.S. and Japanese customers in Chicago, Tampa and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and to international European clients in London

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ACADEMIC

  • Website Developer: Created a web page using HTML5, CSS3 and Visual Studio Code

  • Technical Writer: Wrote online User Guide documentation for Epic Game’s Fortnite Creative game which included audience analysis, interviews with Epic Games employees, team collaboration, creating a template, writing the final document, peer and SME reviews, and usability test planning; created infographic using Canva; created personal portfolio website using Wix editor and JavaScript.

 

EDITOR

  • Book: Edited Rethinking Our Story: Can We Be Christian in the Quantum Era? By Doug Hammack, published 2014, Resource Publications

 

TEACHER AND EDUCATIONAL PLANNER

10 years

  • Curriculum Designer: Planned and taught K-12 subjects including history, math, reading, writing, literature, spelling, grammar, Algebra I and II, geometry and trigonometry

  • Event Coordinator: Organized field trips for up to 100 students such as Ancient Greek Olympic Field Day, snow skiing in West Virginia, dances and nature hikes

  • Instructional Recruiter: Coordinated expert instructors to teach piano, Spanish, and other subjects in our home, including a college-level computer programming class taught by a UNC graduate student teacher, and Survival Skills, taught by a North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences expert

  • Math Olympiad Coach: Introduced 4th through 6th graders to problem-solving skills

 

VOLUNTEER

15 years, various organizations

  • Meal Provider: Partnered with Meals on Wheels to deliver hot meals to seniors on Sundays, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Family Promise of Wake County, Rise Against Hunger, N.C. Food Bank, Free lunch program for area shelters and assistance organizations

  • Other: Assisted Habitat for Humanity in building three houses installing subfloors, framing, windows, siding, inside trim and built a deck; Animal Protection Society of Durham; Family Promise; hurricane relief; local parks 

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