Finding the Perfect Fit
by Karen Rokich
An accidental technical writer, Lisa Colon didn’t know what to expect when she entered Cedarville University’s Professional Writing (since renamed as Technical and Professional Communication) program in the winter of 2000. What she did know was this: writing and editing were her strengths, and she needed for her talent to become alive.
That program was her introduction to the world of technical communication and it was, she says, "a perfect fit!"
After graduating from Cedarville, Lisa worked as a public relations intern, a loan officer, and a church secretary while searching for her first technical writing job. She found that job at Avery Dennison (formerly Paxar and before that Monarch Marking) in Miamisburg, OH, where she has been working as a Technical Writer for the past four years.
Lisa’s job involves writing and editing manuals for end users, system administrators, programmers, and service repair technicians. Working under the umbrella of the engineering department, she provides a user’s perspective on new product designs and product improvement projects. She works with two cross-functional teams and is lead writer for two different product lines.
Lisa works closely with the service department to respond to customer documentation needs based on feedback through support representatives. She also has the opportunity to do some HTML design and develop online help projects.
Lisa resides in Huber Heights, Ohio with her husband, stepson, and two lovable dogs.