What does her job involve?
Annette Greiner is a technical
writer/editor for the Technical and Electronic Information Department (don't
worry, everyone just calls it TEID;it rhymes with "ride"). TEID is a group of writers, illustrators, editors, photographers, and a
whole bunch of other people who work together in communications and graphic design for Berkeley Lab. Annette writes texts and coordinates illustrations for brochures,
open-house displays, the on-line
ALSNews,
and reports like the annual ALS Activity Report. Her articles not only
report new developments to the Department of Energy (DOE), but also attract potential users from around the world to the ALS. Using her computer skills, she also designs
and codes documents for the World Wide Web including sites like the ALS Center and MicroWorlds.
What is she doing now?
Right now, Annette is working with
the other members of the ALS TEID team on articles for ALSNews, a
biweekly newsletter posted on the web. Talking with researchers and ALS staff members, she reports what is new and exciting at the ALS. Also, shedding light on the ALS for visitors, she is working on displays for the ALS building.
What are the highs and lows of her job?
According to Annette, the
hardest part about being a technical writer/editor is when an editor returns a piece massacred by red slashes, long Post-It notes, deletions, reconstructions, carrot insertions, corrections, and scrawling X's.
Annette's favorite part about being a
technical writer/editor is talking to the researchers. She enjoys putting on a new "hat" according to the various specialty fields (like biochemistry, physics, microscopy) of each of her interviewees. She relishes the unique environment at the ALS where the scientists are energized about their latest
research.
What is a typical day at the ALS like for her?
With a group of writers, Annette works in a
trailer/office located in the foggy Berkeley hills. First thing in the morning she checks her schedule and electronic mail on her new Power Mac. Often she has meetings either with other writers to create a "one-person voice" on long collaborative reports or with the Experimental Systems Group to keep up to date with the latest developments at the ALS. Annette also keeps on top of the day-to-day news at the ALS by talking directly to the researchers. Part of a team of writers, she collaboratively writes, edits, and creates presentations like posters and displays.