Society Awards

Paula Berger Attains Rank of Fellow

By Christine Jacobs

For nearly 25 years, Paula Berger has contributed to advancing the status and skills of technical communicators and the profession through consulting and training activities, initiating conferences, working with the international technical communication community, and supporting the Society for Technical Communication.

Educational and Professional Background

After attending M.I.T., Paula began her technical writing career in 1980. She worked at a consulting company as a technical editor and writer, then worked as a freelance writer. In 1982, Paula co-founded SOLUTIONS, a technical communication company that developed information products for clients ranging from technology startups to Fortune 500 companies and spanning all industries. She later oversaw development of SOLUTIONS' worldwide seminar division, which offered seminars (many taught by Paula) in the US, Canada, Europe, and Israel.

In 1997, SOLUTIONS started the annual Help Technology Conference and in 1999 began the TECH*COMM conference. Paula designed the conference programs, working with industry experts to develop presentations on cutting-edge technologies, methodologies, tools, and techniques. As she developed the programs for SOLUTIONS conferences and training events, Paula also developed close working relationships with many industry experts. These have continued over the years, and she still works with many of these experts on presentations, training courses, and publications.

Since 2001, Paula has been a consultant and trainer, working both independently and with Ergoline srl, a technical communication consulting company in Italy. Through Ergoline, Paula provides client consulting, training classes, and conference presentations on content management, project management, usability, and technical communication.

Paula was an adjunct faculty member for the University of California, Santa Cruz, and served on the Northeastern University Technical Writing Training Program (1988(98) advisory board. She won several Awards of Distinction in STC Boston/Northern New England Publications Competitions.

Invaluable STC Contributions

Paula has made countless invaluable contributions to the Society, at all levels.

Society Activities

On the Society level, Paula:

• Conceived of, created, and continues to deliver the Speaker's Orientation Session, which provides training on presentation skills, to over 100 speakers each year at the STC Annual Conference.
• Created and fostered the International Members Reception at the STC Annual Conference, now a regular program event attended by all international members, the STC Board of Directors, and the Program Committee.
• Participated in and encouraged the development of the international technical communication community, particularly in Europe. Spoke at numerous conferences and meetings, provided behind-the-scenes support, and acted as unofficial liaison between the international community and the annual conference program committee for several years (1998-2001). Arranged participation in STC conferences for many international members who would otherwise not have been able to attend.
• Served as co-manager or reader for stems at various conferences.
• Served as judge for several international competitions.
• Delivered several presentations at almost every STC Annual Conference since 1986.

Chapter Activities

On the Chapter level, Paula:

• Served as President of the Boston Chapter, 1989-90. During this year, the Boston chapter:
  • Was the largest chapter in the Society.
  • Held the largest regional competition ever (536 entries).
  • Ran an event with 750 attendees (renting the Museum of Fine Arts).
• Revived the membership directory after many years (and produced it for four years).
• Centralized purchasing of printing services, saving thousands of dollars.
• Created a new chapter identity, including the first chapter brochure.
• Served as 1st Vice President (1988-89) and 2nd Vice President (1987-88).
• During her years on the council and in chapter office, put organization and processes into place for chapter stability, laying groundwork for growth. Innovations included revamp of competitions, renting an office and hiring an administrator for the competitions, writing the first chapter bylaws, co-writing the first chapter strategic plan, and acting as the first corporate liaison to enlist financial and other support for chapter activities.

Regional Activities

On the Regional level, Paula:

• Managed the Boston/Northern New England Publications Competitions (1986-87, 1987-88, 1988-89) and co-managed in 1989-90 and 1990-91. During these years, this competition was much larger than the international competition, with 350 to 435 entries per year.
• Managed the Best of Show judging for the Publications Competition, 1994-95, 1995-96.
• Worked on the InterChange Conference (Boston/Northern New England regional conference):
  • Member of original Planning Committee, 1989, 1990, 1991.
  • Manager, Management Stem, 1989.
  • Produced Conference Proceedings, 1990, 1991.
• Delivered workshops for the Boston chapter (many), the Northern New England chapter (several), and the New Jersey chapter.

Pioneer in Information Design and Development

Paula is an experienced information architect, instructional designer, course developer, trainer, technical writer, editor, marketing writer, and indexer. She developed information products from design through production, including user and reference manuals, quick references, job aids, help systems, helpdesk materials, maintenance and operations manuals, training workbooks, instructor guides, tutorials, brochures, conference proceedings, style guides, marketing material, and more.

In addition, Paula:

• Developed a pioneering approach to developing modular information products in 1984. This methodology is based on user-centered analysis and design techniques, including site visits, contextual inquiry, prototyping, extensive use of graphics, and usability testing.
• Used this methodology to develop effective, user-focused documentation for hundreds of consulting projects. Taught the methodology to thousands of technical writers worldwide.
• Created the award-winning Writer's Reference Card, a quick reference used by over 10,000 professional writers and non-writers at companies worldwide.
• Developed SOLUTIONS' corporate style guide, used on hundreds of consulting projects.

Dedication and Initiative

Paula was elected an associate fellow in 1997. Paula is a truly exceptional contributor to the technical communication profession. She has trained and presented to hundreds of technical communicators and mentored dozens of others, including several who have held leadership positions within STC. During her time on the Boston Chapter board, she initiated programs that have shaped the successful progression of the chapter in the past several years.

We in the Boston Chapter are especially proud of Paula and her innumerable and invaluable efforts on behalf of the Society and our profession.

Christine Jacobs is a member of the Boston Chapter Nominating Committee. She is a senior member of STC and a principal technical writer at Oracle Corporation.