Member Profile: Abena Edugyan

Direction: Can you briefly describe your business background?

Abena: I have a psychology degree and had originally planned to work in healthcare, but I ‘fell’ into the investment industry after graduating. I have worked in different capacities there, ranging from sales assistant to operations analyst. My experience with a specific investment management software application took me from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to San Francisco, California back in 2000. I found that in each position I held, I ended up informally documenting procedures and training co-workers. I’ve always had an interest in writing, so in 2002, I started taking technical writing classes at a local community college. Last year, I began coursework towards an online Master of Arts degree in Technical Communication.

Direction: Tell us about your work – responsibilities, challenges.

Abena: I currently work as an investment services analyst for a family office in Palos Verdes Estates, California. I wasn’t hired as a technical writer; my official job description includes assessing and implementing software applications, helping the manager use his current applications more effectively, and processing trades and investment reports. However, because it’s a small office, I was able to establish informal procedural documentation in the organization. For example, I automated our daily investment reporting processes and subsequently created a procedural manual, numerous reference guides, and job aids for the various investment software applications.

Direction: What do you like most about your job?

Abena: The variety. My supervisor is involved in numerous endeavors, so I’m always learning something new. It’s great, because I’m being exposed to different aspects of the industry.

Direction: What advice can you give to someone who wants to get into P&P documentation?

Abena: If you see an opportunity within your current organization, take advantage of it! I found a way to both add value to the company and gain experience in the technical communication field. Although creating reference materials was not initially part of my role, my supervisor now expects a quick reference guide for each function or feature of our software applications that we adopt.

Direction: What’s the biggest P&P challenge that you face in your current environment?

Abena: My first challenge is presenting information in the most effective and efficient way. My main audience is internal users who have very basic computer knowledge, so I need to ensure there are no gaps in the procedures. Testing the documents is imperative. Secondly, even in a small office environment, it’s necessary to have consistent procedures, but not everyone recognizes that.

Direction: Tell us a bit of personal information about you – e.g., hobbies, where you live, your family, or other information to help us get to know you.

Abena: I’ve lived in Redondo Beach, California, for the past two years. The rest of my family is in Calgary, with the exception of my sister, who is currently completing an artist-in-residence program in Stuttgart, Germany. I spend my leisure time either in the gym or outdoors (hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter). Ironically, I didn’t learn to ski until I moved to California – I missed the snow too much! I volunteer quite a bit, and recently created the first newsletter for The Wellness Community–Orange County. Since 2002, I’ve edited anthologies published by Streetside Stories, a San Francisco-based non-profit organization. Finally, I’m a first-generation Canadian. My parents are from Ghana, West Africa, and I’m happy to report I’ll be making my first trip there in September!

Abena Edugyan is Assistant Editor of Direction and can be reached by email. You can reach Abena by email: Contact Abena Edugyan.