Meet a Technical Communicator 27

 Shruthi Yogendra completed her Masters in Computer Applications. After completing the TWB Fundamental Certification Program in October 2006 she worked as an Associate Technical Writer at Aztecsoft Ltd. She is currently working as an Associate Information Developer in Alcatel-Lucent in the Information Development Competence Center.  

What are the different kinds of documents have you worked on?The documents I’ve worked on include:

• User Guides
• Functional Description Documents
• Marketing Communication Material like product briefs, brochures etc.
• Installation Guides
• Configuration Guides

Describe some situations in which you have worked under pressure or met deadlines?

The day I was on leave there was an urgent requirement for an installation guide. It had to be authored from scratch and sent to the customer asap. I was informed of it only in the evening. I went to office late evening and finished the guide by night. The document was sent to the customer on time though the requirement had come in very late.

 How do you advise someone who is going for an interview for the post of a Technical Writer?

• CONFIDENCE – in yourself, in your speech, and in your body language
• Present high interest and willingness to work

How would your friends describe you?

• Composed
• Approachable
• Ready to help

Do you have a role model? How did that person influence you?

 My late grand dad. His diplomacy in handling people influences my outlook to people. His interview in Frontline inspires me every time I read it.

What are your professional achievements?

Performance beyond competition. 

What do you like best about your position as a Technical Writer?

In the IT industry and yet not very stressful. 

How do your personal goals contribute towards achieving the goals of the company?

Doing justice to whatever task you take up helps perform good in work. 

According to your definition of success, how successful have you been so far?

Quite successful. 

What kinds of challenges is the industry currently facing?

If you are good at whatever you do, challenges in the industry do not matter. “Good ones are always taken.” – so says Murphy.