Career Roadmap
Jared's work combines: Writing, Numbers, and Problem Solving
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Huntsville High School
Bachelor's Degree
English Language and Literature, General
Sam Houston State University
Graduate Degree
Creative Writing
Texas State University-San Marcos
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Technical Writers:
Bachelor's Degree: Technical and Scientific Communication
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
I've taken a lot of twists and turns
1.
Joined the Army in high school, received a medical discharge less than a year in.
2.
Moved back to my hometown and got a job as a prison guard.
3.
Enrolled in college, started out as a Statistics major, had a very hard time navigating a stressful line of work with college.
4.
Got a job that was less stressful (still full time, though), changed my major to English.
5.
As my GPA improved, I considered graduate school, I looked to mentors to help me accomplish that goal.
6.
My mother had a bad car accident my senior year of college. I had to stick around to help her get back on her feet. I had gotten into grad school, but asked to start a semester later.
7.
After grad school, interviewed for several tech writer positions, but did not get hired. Worked a job I was over qualified for for several months. I was eventually offered a teaching position.
8.
My wife and I had twins in 2013. I didn’t make “have twins” money. I found a job at the end of that year at the dept. of transportation (technical editing). That job led to my current role.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Parents:
I think you should probably get a business degree—it’ll make things easier...
How I responded:
Stick with what interests you. The challenge is finding a way to leverage that interest and expertise—in other words, how can you use what you’re good at to help an organization and/or other people? If you stick with what you’re passionate about, that challenge won’t be so challenging.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
Your parents can’t guide you through the countless obstacles of college, because they’ve never experienced. I learned to ask for help when I didn’t know what to do.