Technical communicators of Florida and beyond,
It’s no secret that November tends to mark an annual period of reflection. We reflect on the ten months that have already passed us by—our personal progress, our emotional climate, and sometimes even our defining moments. This past weekend, for instance, I had the singular pleasure of updating my Facebook relationship status from “In a Relationship” to “Engaged!”
However, the picture is not yet full if we only look to the past. Reflection is not only a tool for nostalgia, but also one for planning and survival. We must look to the future and to what the next year or several years may bring. It is in this spirit that we have assembled an experienced panel of chapter leaders to discuss an uncomfortable topic:
Job layoffs.
This is the part where everyone collectively groans at the mere mention of layoffs. Getting let go at work is one of the worst nightmares for a working person. It’s a natural instinct to avoid thinking about it. If we pretend the problem doesn’t exist, then maybe it will leave us alone. Right?
…Not exactly. During my time as editor for this newsletter, I have seen some highly qualified and decorated colleagues lose their employment through no fault of their own. It’s right for us to hope that we’d never face that situation, but I believe it’s also responsible to prepare for the possibility, however remote.
Our meeting topic this month is titled Surviving a Tech Comm Layoff. If we can discuss this challenge together and help each other be more prepared, perhaps we’ll all be able to sleep just a little better at night. Then we can go back to reflecting on our warm, fuzzy feelings and social media presences instead. 🙂
Thank you,
Nick Ducharme
Chair, Communications Committee
newsletter@stc-orlando.org
P.S., I think a shout-out is in order to my wonderful fiancée! My dear, all my careful preparation going forward shall be for you and for us. Thank you for inspiring me to do better each and every day for the past three and half years. I love you.
