If you are a new graduate from either a tech. comm. or similar communication program, then here are SEVEN steps to help you get off to a fast start:

  1. Create a LinkedIn professional profile.
  2. Create an effective resume that conveys your career objective clear. Highlight internships or jobs while in school that involved: writing of any kind for any type of deliverables, exposure to a corporate environment & culture, jobs or volunteer work where you exhibited leadership.
  3. Build a paper and on-line portfolio of sample projects you have completed. Include those from communication classes, jobs while in school which may have involved communication, internships. Save to flash drive also.
  4. Update your software skills. If your software experience does not yet include Adobe Suite & XML-based authoring, then sign up for either an on-line or hands-on course.
  5. Join the STC (Society for Technical Communication), AMWA (American Medical Writer’s Association), &/or PEN (Professional Editors Network).
  6. Start attending networking events & job fairs, talking with professional peers-family-friends, researching on-line.
  7. Contact JPG for guidance and advice.