Member Profile: Marie Cheine
Occupation:	Chief Administrative and Financial Officer, Tampa, Florida
	Marie overcame any hesitation about being new to the field of technical communication. Her decision to write has been simmering throughout years of writing short stories for herself, and, more recently, poetry for a Russian musician. When fellow employees began asking her to write and edit memos, articles, proposals, and other instruments specific to the field of cardiology, she accepted with delight. Her lifelong affinity for written communication was advanced by a high school literature teacher. That teacher, she says, “introduced me to the great literature of the world… Since then, I have been driven to read as much as I can and write with care.” In response to questions about what she thinks it takes to be a technical or occupational writer, she says, “For writing to be really good, to make someone feel something, or be able to do something or be able to learn something takes talent. There is much written that is mechanically correct, but means absolutely nothing.” Marie’s goals include acquiring a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Technical and Professional Writing. Ultimately, she wants to explore freelancing. Meanwhile, she finds grant writing intriguing. She recently wrote her first grant for her employer, and eagerly awaits the results after submission. Perhaps her grant writing skills can “further enhance our research department,” she says. Quality is of ultimate importance to her, because much of the office correspondence pertains to patients’ health. Furthermore, she points out “everything we send out has our logo on it and makes a statement about our company.” Her description of quality work is that which is “technically perfect, well presented and accurate to the minutest detail.” In addition to working full time, and attending the University of South Florida, Marie parents her seven-year-old son. He is involved in karate, and has his mother’s guidance during evening homework sessions, and enjoys the time they spend reading stories together. Both Marie and her son enjoy movies, which they frequent on weekends. When he is with other family members, she takes time out for herself, and goes to the movies alone or with friends. She derives most of her nutritional sustenance from Subway® “veggie sandwiches on whole wheat with spicy mustard (no cheese.),” which, she says she “could eat every day and be happy.” According to her description of Florida’s west coast, the sunsets are “amazing,” and their pink and gold influences her interior décor choices. She is fond of nature, and notices the abundant flora and fauna that flourish outside of her home. The occasional glimpse of an alligator in the lakes is somewhat unnerving. She would rather not see one. Nature has entered her home not only in the sunset colors that crept in, but also in the form of two cats, two guinea pigs, and a hamster that share her quarters. Long after the golden rays fall away for the day, and after she checks on her sleeping son, Marie does the things she dislikes the most, before doing her own homework. When the dishes, laundry, and cleaning are done, and her homework honed to perfection, she can rest. She knows that the next day at work will not give her enough hours to accomplish everything she sets out to do; yet, she considers her life to be “simple.”
	About the Author: Marla Davis is an STC Senior Member in the Phoenix Chapter. Back to top