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Education
| Masters of Arts in English with Technical Writing Emphasis |
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(1996-2003) |
| Brigham Young University |
Provo, Utah |
| Thesis: How a design-based heuristic can improve cross-cultural communication on the Internet |
| Bachelors of Arts in English |
(1990 - 1996) |
| Brigham Young University |
Provo, Utah |
Employment
| Sr. Technical Writer |
(2007-Present) |
| SirsiDynix |
Provo, Utah |
| Document updates to existing library automation software. Improve design of software with agile scrum team. Lead scrum team to implement new cloud-based product using customer feedback to drive the design. Conduct usability tests for ERes (library reserve) software over phone and WebEx. Present findings and give suggestions for improvement. Provide design input for new iPhone library searching application. Develop video-based tutorials to enhance existing documentation. Work with teams in Utah, Alabama, Missouri, and Ontario (Canada). |
| Adjunct Faculty |
(2007-Present) |
| Utah Valley State College |
Orem, Utah |
| Teaching introductory composition to college freshmen (Eng 1010, 2010, 2020). Coaching beginning college students on how to apply rhetorical principles to analyze texts as well as to create their own. Developed a coherent syllabus that takes students from neophytes to comfortable college-level writers. Taught Writing for Digital Media (DGM4000) to juniors and seniors. |
| Sr. Technical Writer |
(2003-2007) |
| Digital Harbor |
Provo, Utah |
| Redesigned and updated existing documentation to be more comprehensive and to aid navigation. Created status report application based on company's software, which gave me added insight into the
holes in the existing documentation. Worked with a team in multiple locations to review and approve documentation in
a timely and consistent manner. Learned to use Silk to run automated regression testing on new software builds.
Implemented, designed, and maintained an internal
documentation website. Provided guidance and content for new corporate style guide and templates. Edited
existing JavaDocs for grammar and consistency, and made these changes to source code. |
| Technical Writer |
(2003) |
| Captiva Software |
Park City, Utah |
| Redesigned API information section of FormWare 5.0 documentation to make it easier
to access and understand. Updated Scan module information in 5.0 documentation by working with Support and QA to
get answers. Moved InvoicePack documentation to online format, including changing the organizational structure.
Training other writers on writing skills such as editing, time management, usability, and process management. |
| Technical Writer/Usability/Team Lead |
(2000 - 2002) |
| NextPage |
Lehi, Utah |
| Developed style guide to help standardize documentation. Edited existing
documentation using XML to conform to style guide. Helped maintain DTD. Developed new piece of documentation
called Site Design. Generated HTML Help from XML source files. Maintained external documentation web site.
Conducted some usability testing and user surveys to help improve the product. Developed an aggressive
work plan to redesign existing documentation for usability. |
| President, CEO, Web Designer |
(2000 - Present) |
| Garrigen Technologies |
Eagle Mountain, Utah |
| Started web design company with my brother. We have designed and
maintained several websites, including sites for Olympus Shepherds, the LTD Group, Success
Connection, AJ Michaels, Cesar Osborn, Reinhart Stamminger, and Jennifer Kelsch (website links
or archives available upon request). |
| Newspaper Columnist and Writer |
(2001 - 2002) |
| Lake Mountain Interactive |
Eagle Mountain, Utah |
| Developed and wrote a "Tech Relief" column for local newspaper. The column
used humor and technical writing principles to explain technical (often computer-related) concepts to
technical novices. Also wrote articles about various other subjects, including pest control and the
Olympic and Paralympic Games. |
| Software Engineer |
(1998 - 2000) |
| IBM |
Rochester, Minnesota |
| Designed two new wizards for new GUI function. Designed and coded two advisors
using Java, JavaScript, and HTML for a product. Created online articles for new AS/400 function using SGML
and HTML. Helped research and design Planning Guide for online delivery. Learned and used Adept SGML editor
to source documents to HTML, Postscript, and Adobe PDF. Helped redesign Information Center web site.
Conducted regular customer testing and evaluations of products. |
| Technical Writer (Contractor) |
(1998) |
| Uinta Business Systems |
Orem, Utah |
| Developed online Help system for client software using RoboHelp and Paint Shop
Pro. Used Microsoft Project software to create time line, schedules, and plan documentation process. Met
regularly with client to determine needs, do usability testing, and review progress. Worked independently
and efficiently. |
| Composition Instructor |
(1996 - 98) |
| Brigham Young University |
Provo, Utah |
| Taught (Eng 115) college-level reading and writing. Designed
new class syllabus instructing students in use of technology. Taught Technical
Writing (Eng 316) to juniors and seniors for two semesters. Trained them
in writing processes and appropriate technical communication. |
| Webmaster |
(1997 - 1999) |
| Intermountain Health Network |
Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Designed and implemented web site incorporating latest
technology and design for online collaboration and information-sharing.
Created user-friendly pages for computer novices. |
| Intranet Publisher Intern (Paid Position) |
(1997) |
| Corel, Inc. |
Orem, Utah |
| Helped design and setup new company intranet site. Created
weekly online newsletter. Developed "Perfect Web Expert" for easy access
to commonly asked questions. |
Skills
- Use Windows 95+, NT, WordPerfect 6+, Word 95+
- Proficient with Corel Office Suite 6+, Microsoft Office Suite 95+
- Expert user of RoboHelp Office, ArborText Epic Editor for XML and DTDs, Adept SGML Editor
- Intermediate user of FrameMaker, Ventura, Acrobat
- Comfortable with Draw 7+, Photoshop 6+, Paint Shop Pro 6+, Visio
- Usability Testing
- Web Design and Information Design (Thesis about Web Interface Design and Information Design)
- XML, HTML, Dynamic HTML, JavaScript, PHP, mySQL, ASP, and CSS
- Fluent in Dutch
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Writing
- Admitted to Orson Scott Card's intensive Writer's Bootcamp, August 2007.
- "Tech Relief" columns in Lake Mountain Interactive Newspaper, April 2001 - August 2002.
- Review of "Design by Numbers" in Information Design Journal, January 2001.
- "AS/400 Information Center Goes Interactive" in Midrange Computing magazine, December 2000.
- "Navigating the Maze of Logical Partitioning" in AS/400 Magazine, September 2000.
- "Getting to Know the New LPAR Work Sheet" in Midrange Computing magazine, August 2000.
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Volunteering
| Boy Scouts of America |
(2005 - Present) |
| Cubmaster |
Eagle Mountain, Utah |
| Volunteered my time to positively influence 8-11 year old boys in my area (through 2010). Responsible for planning and acting as MC for monthly Pack Meeting. Met regularly with other leaders to coordinate schedules, plan for activities, and track results. Train leaders at an area and region level on how to implement the program in their units. |
| Olympic Games Volunteer |
(2001 - 2002) |
| Salt Lake Olympic Committee |
Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Trained to work with the National Olympic and
National Paralympic committees. During the Games, acted as helper, chauffeur,
liaison, and translator for the committees, especially for the Dutch Paralympic
team. |
| Webmaster |
(2001-2002) |
| emutah.com |
Eagle Mountain, Utah |
| Updated site with latest relevant information.
Developed new section devoted to the newspaper columnists and their columns.
Managed the user forums. |
| Assistant Editor |
(1997-1998) |
| Impact: Journal of Technical Communication |
Provo, Utah |
| Helped with selection of submissions for
publication. Worked on source checking and editing. |
| Specialty Short Story Editor |
(1995-1996) |
| Inscape Literary Journal |
Provo, Utah |
| Helped with selection of submissions for
publication. Worked with others on journal design and layout using Quark
XPress. Proofread printer's copy. |
Achievements
Performed as member of BYU Ballroom Dance Team (1993-1996)
Brigham Young University Provo, UT
Learned to work as a team, memorized new routines quickly, and gained greater confidence
Graduated Valedictorian (1990)
Arlington High School Riverside, CA
GPA: 4.5
Awarded Eagle Scout (1986)
Project: Coordinated and participated in Talent Show for a Convalescent Home
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Workshops and Conferences
UPA's Annual Conference (2002)
Usability Professionals Association Orlando, FL
Learned about usability testing techniques, tools for usability testing, and how to calculate ROI on usability work.
"Managing Projects for Speed" (2002)
Celerity Consulting Lehi, UT
Learned techniques for better project management by building cross-functional teams that focus on potential problems before they occur.
STC's 48th Annual Conference (2001)
Society for Technical Communication Chicago, IL
Attended sessions on advanced writing topics, usability testing techniques, and information design principles.
"Contextual Design" (2000)
Incontext Enterprises Orem, UT
Received instruction on customer-centered design, conducting interviews, analyzing data, and creating prototypes for testing and evaluation.
"How to Design Usable Web Sites" (1998)
Human Factors International, Inc. Minneapolis, MN
Learned about user-interface design principles for the internet at two-day workshop
STC's 45th Annual Conference (1998)
Society for Technical Communication Ahaheim, CA
Attended sessions on user-based design, web design, and developing online help |
Hobbies and Interests
- Reading, especially science-fiction and fantasy, but also Shakespeare
- Learning about anything having to do with the Netherlands (Delft blue, Tulips, Windmills)
- Using the Internet
- Doing ballroom dancing, especially Latin-style
- Playing team sports like Basketball, Softball, and Volleyball
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References
| References available upon request |
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