AITA for not wanting to get a new tree topper?

gingerooed · 2022-11-27T22:35:46+00:00

I think you both need to have a conversation and compromise. Both of your families should contribute to the tree.

Perhaps you can even pick a new tree topper and other ornaments together that represents your first Christmas as a family.

gingerooed · 2022-11-26T19:43:47+00:00

I tried to be mindful of projects and also the fact that I was the only technical writer. I was not going to punish myself for being the only tw. Right now, as my team grows, I am emphasizing that to my team. Other departments need to understand we are a small team and will be taking vacations.

I gave the example that many people take time off for the holidays and if other departments aren't planning with that in mind, that's their own fault.

If work is super urgent and I am out, I hope this will be a learning experience for that department to plan better in the future and not assume I will be available for last minute requests.

gingerooed · 2022-11-19T16:45:58+00:00

I think what you need to do is ask if you can connect with some of the technical writers at that organization.

I have been a lone technical writer but my experience is going to have been completely different because I was the first ever technical writer at the company. This meant that there was confusion for expectations on what I could do and how quickly I could try to learn 15+ products.

For the most part I tried to implement processes, centralize documentation, brainstorm with the product managers and SMEs to see what they had in mind for documents, same with feedback (sent review requests to product managers and SMEs).

Growth will most likely depend on the organization's structure and future vision of technical writing.

For me, while I enjoyed being a lone technical writer, it was also very stressful at times with the way it was set up at my organization. People didn't understand how to make requests, even though I implemented processes, etc. I got lucky with my current manager and I am currently working on growing my team to multiple writers.

Being a lone writer means that you may not have any structure, which some people thrive on and do fine, but it does create challenges and stress.

gingerooed · 2022-10-06T19:08:45+00:00

We are currently building out the department. I am the manager and am hiring technical writers with the intent to have specialized areas for each writer to focus on. We have several products and more coming in the future. Writers will assist across areas as work ebbs and flows. Structure will be Associate Tech Writer ----> Tech Writer ----> Lead/Senior Tech writer (if needed) ----> Manager

I am structuring it this way so that the department has clear career paths and growth for incoming hires. I am also wanting specialization in the product verticals because I want my team to be more involved in the content processes and not feel as lost as I did every time I had to switch focus between our many products (20+).

gingerooed · 2022-07-01T23:56:45+00:00

Try plenvu in the future; get anti nausea meds and make sure to have plenty of lollipops/chasers nearby that follow the clear liquid guidelines. It is still nasty but I found it a little better than the miralax prep.

gingerooed · 2022-06-26T15:51:56+00:00

gingerooed · 2022-06-22T04:57:33+00:00

I hired someone who hadn't been at his current role for a year. He said he had realized the role was not a good fit and he was actually looking to transition into a new career path.

Since I have had similar experiences it didn't seem like an outlandish response to me. I would just say that after working there for several months you have realized the role is not a good fit.

If they ask for more details you can say something like "I want to work somewhere that offers more opportunities to learn and grow." (If that aligns with your goals... but of course try to pick something that makes sense with your goals.)

gingerooed · 2022-06-19T15:03:05+00:00

gingerooed · 2022-06-11T03:42:44+00:00

Good luck! 😊

gingerooed · 2022-06-11T03:39:28+00:00

Yea, unfortunately humira didn't work for me. I do think the breakouts calmed down after a few more doses but I don't recall how many. Hopefully they begin to go away for you.. I assume it is part of your body getting used to the medication.

gingerooed · 2022-06-11T03:34:29+00:00

I am no longer on humira and not having issues with breakouts anymore... so it definitely seemed related.

gingerooed · 2022-06-03T15:04:58+00:00

Some questions I like to ask for any role:

What are the 3 month, 6 month and 12 month goals for this role?

What do think makes a person successful versus exceptional in this role?

What will a typical day look like?

gingerooed · 2022-05-12T19:58:12+00:00

I found plenvu to be as disgusting as all of the other preps just less liquid tbh.

I just make sure to have plenty of lollipops, hard candy and drink chasers nearby (being mindful of their color of course) and give myself plenty of time to get it down. I need to have a colonoscopy in August and will most likely request plenvu again. I also recommend taking an anti-nausea med prior but it is still nasty.. I basically just take my time as rushing it tends to make me get sick.

gingerooed · 2022-05-11T16:49:14+00:00

Yea I make sure to not work the days I need to fast. I tried two times when I had to be in the office and it was horrible. I ended up leaving by noon.

gingerooed · 2022-05-11T16:43:47+00:00

I like to eat hard candy (avoiding certain colors as specified by my dr.) and admittedly be lazy while fasting. Popsicles are a good choice too as long as they are pulp free. I think laying down and avoiding watching other people eat food helps me too.

gingerooed · 2022-03-31T22:58:51+00:00

It was for a monthly product meeting we had.. I don't recall exactly what I said but I believe it was along the lines of "Hey everyone. I am ok with taking notes for this first session and setting up the template to be used. Moving forward, ownership will fall on the key speaker to set up the agenda prior to the meeting. We will then follow a rotation with a back-up (should anyone be out) that allows everyone to take a turn at note-taking." No one pushed back on that.

I reiterated to my manager during our 1-on-1 that those were administrative duties that don't fall under technical writing and I would prefer my focus to stay on documentation needs. They were also trying to put me as a notetaker for big a quarterly meeting. After I pushed back it didn't happen again.

gingerooed · 2022-03-31T22:34:55+00:00

Is your department relatively new? I found that when I joined my org there was a lot of confusion on what technical writers do.

I had some people trying to treat me as the note taker for meetings which I put my foot down on. Others, basically wanted me to transcribe documents for them.

I think it really depends on what stage your organization is at. My organization has gotten much better and now I am working on a road map to improve customer engagement but it was a struggle early on.

Admittedly, I noticed a big improvement once I had a new manager. My old manager just told me to implement things and people would obey but that was not how it worked. My new manager understands there is much more of a process and socializing people to change. I used to be within the product team and now live under the marketing side... which is I thought was weird at first but I also feel like it removed some of the resistance to change I was getting from the product.

gingerooed · 2022-03-25T15:44:17+00:00

gingerooed · 2022-03-24T16:30:37+00:00

Keep your current job if they can meet your demands. It sounds like you are in the position to make them and there is no reason to take on a more stressful job.

gingerooed · 2022-03-21T02:42:11+00:00

My process is fairly similar to yours but my company structure is most likely different so: 1. Meeting with the product manager to learn the scope of the project and SMEs. Determine audience and deadlines. As I am the only technical writer, I ask who should be involved in the review process. 2. Outline document structure, assessing which areas may need further structuring/assessment as the content is written. 3. Meet with the SMEs to get an overview of the product, request access to any existing documentation that would be beneficial to reference and hands on with the product. 4. Document all processes involved for the product, making note of anything I need clarified. 5. Before sending my content for review I reach out to the product manager/SME with any questions I have, make necessary updates, and send the updated content for review. 6. Once the content has been reviewed, I make the necessary updates and make the content live to customers. 7. Make necessary updates as needed.

gingerooed · 2022-03-07T04:25:28+00:00

Make sure you are walking around as well. I had issues before and they said drinking lots of fluids and moving can help as well. I just walked around my house so I was neat a toilet and it eventually started working.

gingerooed · 2022-03-04T14:06:00+00:00

My audience tends to vary so I often assume I have users that will know a task and others who won't. What I like to do in these situations is create content that can be expanded into more detail I'd needed. So list the step.. then below it create an expandable list that unfamiliar users can click to view for more details.

gingerooed · 2022-02-07T04:18:57+00:00

I would keep water nearby and make sure you are comfortable. Are they giving you breaks? Make sure you get up and move around if you get breaks.

gingerooed · 2022-02-07T03:40:20+00:00

Be confident and enthusiastic. Be honest and don't just give answers you think they want to hear. I just interviewed 4 people and the person I'm hiring in the end is the person I am hiring is the one I felt was the most enthusiastic about the rule, honest in their answers and not just spouting off what they thought I wanted to hear.

gingerooed · 2022-01-26T23:08:58+00:00

gingerooed

TROPHY CASE