Danielle Vansianée Reilly

1. Tell us about your current position and what you do.

I currently work for Cerner Corporation as a Technical Writer. I create, edit, and maintain online user documentation for Cerner’s solutions. I primarily work on release notes, reference pages, and help pages. I work directly with solution designers and engineers as well as other writers on the team.

2. What are some past positions you have held?

Prior to working at Cerner, I held various positions in higher education. My first position out of college was working for TCNJ in the Graduate and Advancing Education office. I also worked for West Chester University in their College of Education’s Assessment Office. Both of those positions allowed me the opportunity to work on business process documentation and creating student manuals and instructions. These experiences, as well as my experiences in the MA program, helped me to change careers to technical writing.

3. Were there any particular TCNJ courses/internships/experiences that helped jump start your career?

The MA program allowed me to connect with my colleagues in a small class setting. We were able to share and critique each other’s writing. I appreciated having the opportunity to learn from students who came from many different backgrounds.

4. What are your favorite memories of your time at TCNJ?

I loved the community and sense of closeness that the MA program fostered. I also loved that I was able to choose from a variety of electives each semester. I was able to take courses that covered a range of topics. Nothing felt repetitive and I learned something new each semester.

5. Do you have any advice for current TCNJ students trying to break into your field?  

Technical writing is a really diverse field that allows you to work in a variety of industries. You do not need to know how to code in order to get a position in the field, but it does help if you have a general understanding of technology and software. If you are interested in technical writing, you can start by trying to document business processes in your current role. You can also look at volunteer opportunities to start a portfolio such as contributing to documentation of open source software projects. Lastly, attend any area networking events. Companies are looking for individuals with strong writing and communication skills to fill these roles. Networking events guarantee you in-person time with a recruiter where you can make a strong impression.