Although I'm not writing any more blogs for a while, I may interview some folks in the space industry. My original thought was to save them for a series on careers, I decided to post Lori's since she was so kind to do this, and I'm not sure when I'll be starting this blog up again.
The space industry is growing, and there will be increasing
job opportunities. Of course, most of us
think of astronaut and rocket scientists, when in reality, there are thousands
of different career opportunities. I’m
starting an irregular series on some of the kind of jobs you can find in the
space industry, and the people who are helping expand the role of humankind in
space.
Today, I’d like
to introduce you to Lori Yost, a technical writer for ZIN Technologies’
NASA/Government division (http://www.zin-tech.com/Home.ASP). ZIN Technologies provides integrated products and spaceflight hardware
development services to NASA and Fortune 500 companies. ZIN is located in Ohio, and has won multiple
small business awards for its work.
Lori, welcome!
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’ve been a technical writer with ZIN Technologies for the
last five years. Before that, I spent 9
½ years as a Software Quality Assurance Specialist with two different companies
where I was exposed to writing, editing, and executing various documentation
testing purposes. I have over 20 years
experience in Information Technology in various capacities.
How did you get the job?
Prior to working for ZIN, I was working for a mortgage
software company that created software for loan origination and the secondary
market. When there was a downturn in the
mortgage industry in 2007, I was laid off.
I was only out of work for a short time.
I saw an ad in the paper for ZIN Technologies for a software developer
which I did not think I was qualified for but I applied online anyway. I wanted to get my resume on file. I was surprised when I was called for an
interview almost immediately. When I
interviewed, they told me that were they were thinking about hiring a technical
writer and wanted to see if I was interested and qualified for the
position. I was definitely both.
You write the tech documents for two of the experimental
racks on the ISS—what does that entail?
Repair & troubleshooting as well as how to use them, or am I
completely off track?
You are off track (somewhat). When I first started with ZIN, I was writing
help files and software user manuals for the two experimental racks. The racks are part of the Fluids and
Combustion Facility. One experiment rack
studies combustion (CIR – Combustion Integrated Rack) and the other
experimental rack studies fluids (FIR – Fluids Integrated Rack). Both racks are installed on the Destiny
Laboratory Module on the ISS.
Currently, most of my time is spent writing verification
reports for the both experimental racks.
We send up parts and equipment to maintain the racks along with new
equipment that will be need to be installed for any new experiments that are
scheduled to be performed by either rack.
The equipment is designed, built, and thoroughly tested by our engineers
before it is sent to the International Space Station. (If something goes wrong, it not likely they
can go out to the nearest store and by a replacement.) The reports can be very detailed at
times. I work closely with the engineers
to create and edit these reports. I also
regularly attend Engineering Review Boards and Configuration Review Boards and
write the reports from those meetings. In
addition, I write and edit other documentation when needed.
Are you writing for the astronauts to use on the ISS? I think that’s be a challenge to keep them
simple and comprehensive, so that even astronauts for whom English is not their
native language or whose expertise is not
in this field are able to use the equipment properly.
No I do not write any crew procedures. That is done by another team. However, I do know that the astronauts are
trained by the team on both racks before they are allowed to handle anything
with the CIR or the FIR. It must be
noted that both racks are designed to run experiments from the ground without
crew intervention by a ground support team from the Glenn Research Center. Crew time is precious and MUST be scheduled. When a crew member interacts with either
rack, it is usually to provide on-orbit maintenance and configuration.
Aside from “study hard,” what would be your advice to
someone who would like to get into the space industry as a technical writer?
When I was in school there were no degrees in technical
writing. Now there are including my alma
mater, Youngstown State University (YSU calls it Professional Writing and
Editing). I was a communications major
in college and I learned most everything about computers the hard way.
I see that ZIN is also working with the Orion crew
capsule. Will you be doing anything with
that?
At this time no. I’ve
worked other projects besides FCF when requested and at this time no one has
requested my time.
Lori, thanks so much for taking time to share a little about
your career!
