Senior Applications Engineering Documentation Specialist

At Convergix Automation, a custom automation company, I work with Applications Engineers and Account Managers to develop proposals of our technical solution while highlighting customer needs and requirements.

My current role is the perfect combination of writing and document design that allows me to flex my creativity with every proposal. For proposal development, I write through a variety of different lenses including the executive summary to highlight how our solution or business can help solve the needs of the customer, the technical overview to define scope and illustrate our proposed system, and assumptions/conditions to set boundaries around project expectations and responsibilities. 

At my company, I manage the proposal templates for all of our business units, which allows me to utilize my background in document design. Also, each proposal requires the utilization of document design elements and principles while determining overall organization and content placement.

Post graduation, I was referred to JR Automation for a brand new position within the organization by Professor Toth. I started at JR Automation as an Applications Engineering Technical Writer in July following my graduation in April earlier that year. After almost five years at JR, I accepted a position at Motorola Solutions as a Proposal Manager, which is essentially a project manager for the proposal development process. Due to the lack of writing I was able to do in that role, I transitioned back to the automation industry and accepted my current position at Convergix Automation, and I have been in this role for two and a half years.

The professors in the writing department had the greatest impact on me as a professional. In my junior and senior years, I was able to develop more meaningful relationships with some of my professors. They were able to help guide me to push myself more in the areas that interested me and helped me get more involved with writing opportunities outside of class requirements.

Get involved in writing opportunities outside of class. These experiences help you get outside of your comfort zone, teach you how to work professionally with other people, and give you applicable experience. As someone who is not always the most enthusiastic individual, I regret not getting involved in volunteer opportunities sooner during my tenure at Grand Valley.

I would also advise students to make as many meaningful connections as you can during your time as a writing major at GVSU. Professors and peers will help you become a better writer, person, and professional. These connections will inspire you to learn and grow.