Technical Writer – Onlea

Please consider me an applicant for either the position of Learning Designer or Technical Writer.

This webpage is adapted from one created when applying for Onlea positions in Instructional Design or eLearning, last May. Since then, my interests in creating a more peaceful world, which I believe is found first in a more peaceful self, has led me to write my admittedly long essay/script Assholes: Another Theory in response to Assholes: A Theory, the book by Harvard educated philosophy professor, Aaron James, and the documentary of the same title by Canadian filmmaker, John Walker. The demonization of those we disagree with is a common occurrence and when Norquest College advertised to fill the position of “Racist Specialist”, I applied, suggesting they rename the job, Inclusion Coordinator, and created a webpage in support of my application. The latter also inspired me to contact Edmonton’s mayor in hopes of gaining his support for an educational initiative to measure and improve the mood of a city.

I am a visionary thinker with a belief that we can improve our shared experience of life and I have a knack for presenting ideas in a novel way (as my wanted poster for happiness illustrates) and I’m hopeful that you will again consider me for a position with Onlea.

After completing my Education degree at the U of A (with a major in art) while also serving as a writer/production editor for the Students’ Union Gateway, I joined The University of Calgary as a Communications Officer II. In my role as co-editor of the bi-weekly Gazette, I was often called upon to research and write copy that delivered technical information to a more general audience. My article, New ways to slice the mapping pie, and its accompanying commissioned illustration is an example I also profiled new staff members, like Beatrice Medicine, and supplied photography, illustration and design skills.

While at the U of C, I completed courses in Communications Research Methods, Topics in Prairie Canada (taught by Grant MacEwan) and Art & Architecture Canada: 1870 – 1960.

After almost five years with the U of C, I completed a year as a Journalism Instructor, at the then Grant MacEwan Community College, helping students develop writing, editing, design and photographic skills. Moving, to Vancouver, I joined Southam Business Communications as Western Editor for Canadian Forest Industries Magazine, providing copy on all aspects of the business including safety, harvesting and milling. I then settled with my family in Nanaimo and worked as a weekly and daily reporter for The Nanaimo Business Examiner and Nanaimo Daily Free Press

I then joined forest equipment manufacturer T-MAR Industries in Campbell River as the company’s Marketing Manager, where I launched the company’s newsletter, The T-MAR Times. Part of my duties also included conducting customer surveys and producing advertising copy, brochures and videos.

A downturn in the industry led me to leave T-MAR and spend 10 years overseas teaching in Libya, Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, Norway, the UAE and Japan. During this time, I met and taught students from tens of countries and developed instructional materials for the Irish Leaving Certificate, International General Certificate of Secondary Education and the International Baccalaureate PYP, MYP and Diploma Programmes.

In 2008, I joined the German company, GTZ to help develop educational programs for adult vocational students in the UAE. As part of a small team, I co-authored mathematics workbooks and assessment materials for the Abu Dhabi Vocational and Educational Training Institute.

I’ve always been interested in video production. Highlights of my work overseas include God is Love shot with my Al Ain students; The Apple of Albert’s Eye, a student-illustrated video of my children’s story about life from an apple’s point of view and Moving Day, where puppies travel by wheelbarrow to their new home. I also scripted, narrated, filmed and edited, Truck Logging in Africa.

Returning to Canada in 2012, I completed the first year of the online Hearing Aid Practitioner Program at MacEwan University. Relocating to Prince George, BC, I completed courses in first-aid, food-safe and non-violent intervention with AimHi before joining the organization as a Residential Care Worker. I then joined Pace Property Management as a Licensed Property Manager after completing the BC Licensed Property Management Course through UBCs Sauder School of Business. 

That same year, I launched my WordPress website to highlight my creative abilities in writing, photography, art, music and video production. I use my website, blog and twitter account to promote my work and ideas. I invite you to explore the links to each of these areas of my artistic expression. I have a working knowledge of MS Office, Illustrator, Photoshop and Movie Studio. I also made the music video, Brand New Song, which features my song of the same name and images of much of my art.

I lack the requested familiarity with much of the software and programs mentioned but believe I have the ability to learn what’s required. It would be hypocritical to suggest I could help you develop learning systems without the belief that I can learn new things myself. Accordingly, let me suggest we meet to discuss the contribution I could make to Onlea in joining your organization as a Technical Writer or Learning Designer.