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Career Change: A Year to Remember

December 28, 2017September 13, 2019 Joan Koehne Leave a comment

I opened the Oconto County Times Herald yesterday to see the top news stories of 2017 and immediately had flashbacks of the seven years that I prepared the Top 10 list before I made my career change to Writer to the Rescue.

Chronicling life in Oconto County

Every December I would flip through months of front pages – first by hand with the stack of archived newspapers and later with digital files. I always felt a sense of accomplishment glancing at the photos and articles I created over the previous 12 months. I could easily say, “Look what I achieved this past year as editor.” Chronicling the life and times of people in Oconto County was a responsibility I took to heart.

So when I opened the Dec. 27 issue of the Times Herald and skimmed the 2017 Top 10 list, I felt a strange sense of detachment. These weren’t the assignments I covered or the photos I snapped. This time around, someone else was sitting in the editor’s chair. I left the newspaper on Jan. 25, 2017, and officially opened Writer to the Rescue a few days later.

Career change has positive effect

Leaving behind the weekly grind of publishing a community newspaper has been a good career change for me. My schedule is much more relaxed without the obligation of churning out 4-6 stories a week, attending night meetings, holiday and weekend events, and writing articles on Sundays in order to get a leg-up on the coming week.

I miss the weekly paychecks and I miss interacting with the staff, but otherwise I’m content with my career change and where I’m at today. I made the right decision a year ago when I turned in my resignation and took on the persona of my alter-ego, Wonder Writer. I remember the exhilarating feeling of new beginnings that accompanied my career change. The world was full of exciting opportunities. I remember my Facebook post saying, “This is the first day of the rest of my life!”

So as I look back at 2017, I’m thankful for the clients who trusted me to write for them, and I’m grateful for the unwavering support and guidance of my husband, Bill, owner of Packerland Websites. I’m proud of all that I’ve accomplished at Writer to the Rescue, even if it doesn’t show up on the front page of the newspaper.

Are you better off now?

November 30, 2017September 13, 2019 Joan Koehne Leave a comment

NWTC graduate Joan Koehne The words of President Ronald Reagan popped into my head today when I answered the NWTC graduate follow-up survey. Reagan posed this question: “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” That simple question helped Reagan win the election.

I thought of those words because I am 6 months past my NWTC graduation date, and NWTC emailed me a link to the NWTC graduate follow-up survey. The survey reminded me of graduation day, May 19, and my hectic life as a full-time newspaper editor and part-time college student. Am I better off now than 6 months ago? I would like to think so. I’m getting more sleep and spending my nights and weekends doing something other than homework. That’s a bonus right there!

But the survey didn’t ask about nap time or free time, it asked about my employment and my level of satisfaction with the education I received from NWTC. In an email from Pamela Kuffel, NWTC graduate follow-up specialist, she said the feedback is used to improve academic programs for future students.

Life as an NWTC graduate

Of course, I wouldn’t be blogging about NWTC if I didn’t have a positive experience at the college. I’m one of the graduates who clicked “Highly satisfied” to answer the question “How do I feel about the training I received?” Overall, the instructors knew their stuff and made class interesting and relevant to what I’m doing on the job today. The college was close to home and affordable, with the flexible options I needed as a working woman.

At the NWTC website, I checked the survey results from the Class of 2016, and it turns out that lots of NWTC graduates could be writing this blog because they feel the same way I do about the college. Of the 1,425 graduates surveyed, 98% were satisfied or very satisfied with their NWTC training. I’m a bit envious to report that many NWTC grads are making more money than I am. The median salary of associate degree grads is $39,997. Good for them! I’ll get there eventually.

Itching for a career change

I enrolled in the marketing program at NWTC with the idea of changing careers from print journalism to public relations. Just like 25% of the 2016 NWTC graduates, I was itching for a career change. An even larger percentage of 2016 grads (38%) enrolled for employment-related reasons. Instead of working in public relations, I opened a professional writing business. I credit NWTC with giving me a solid education and the confidence to take my life in a new direction. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and these last six months have flown by so fast. One thing’s for sure — I am better off than I was 6 months ago.

How adult learners can thrive in a tech-reliant world

September 18, 2017September 13, 2019 Joan Koehne Leave a comment

social media marketing in digital age One of my business clients described herself as a “dumb blonde with a Smartphone.” That certainly wasn’t true, but it’s a feeling many of us Generation X-ers can relate to. We didn’t grow up in the digital age, with a phone in our pocket, a laptop on our desk, and the world at our fingertips. Some of us didn’t even take a typing class.

Dinosaur in the digital age

When I enrolled at NWTC in 2015 I was carrying a flip phone. That pretty much sums up my digital literacy at the time. To get ahead in today’s workforce, it helps to be tech savvy. It’s one of the reasons I returned to college. I wanted to feel more comfortable using the technology most people take for granted. I really challenged myself by enrolling in the Social Media Marketing program.

Marketing instructor Ronnie Coyle once told me “Age doesn’t matter.” When it comes to adapting to the digital world, what’s important is a willingness to learn, experiment, and spend time with the technology.

Learn as you go

My Microsoft Word class laid the foundation for working on posters, reports, and presentation materials. My Excel class helped me with accounting homework. Over time, using these programs became more comfortable and intuitive as I kept experimenting. Plus, I learned the power of the phrase “Just Google it.” Chances are someone has already asked your question, and someone else has answered it. I view Google as an embarrassment-free way to ask a really silly question. In my social media marketing classes I created a Twitter handle, Instagram account, and WordPress site for blogging. When I told my sisters “You should follow me on Twitter” they just laughed because they knew I was way out of my league. What they didn’t realize is that I was making progress.

Find a buddy

I know I have plenty of company when I say my kids taught me almost everything I know about using technology. My daughter was my go-to person, and she helped me take my first selfie and design my first marketing poster, created for the NWTC golf outing. After enrolling at NWTC I took the orientation course for Blackboard where I learned how to submit assignments and use the online discussion board. In my NWTC classes, I was an observer, watching and learning how to create, share, and change a Google document and answer questions in Kahoot!, an online quiz game.

Catching on

It all took patience and practice, and I’m still learning. I know NWTC has my back, with academic resources and classes to help me continue learning. If you recognize your own shortcomings while reading this article, take heart! If a dumb brunette with a flip phone can jump into the digital age, so can you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joan Koehne, of Abrams, is a 2017 graduate of NWTC. A former newspaper editor, she co-owns Writer to the Rescue, the content writing division of Packerland Websites.

First Day of School Jitters

August 30, 2017August 28, 2020 Joan Koehne Leave a comment

As a mom of 2 kids, sending them off on the first day of school was always special, but the elementary school years were especially magical. Our kids’ backpacks and lunch boxes would be packed and ready on the eve of the first day, and the kids would choose what new outfit to wear. In the morning, I’d make a hot breakfast and snap photos of them before they marched off to a new school year.

I’m sure this scenario plays out in households everywhere, because the excitement of the first day of school is universal.

For students at NWTC, Thursday, Aug. 31, marks the start of the fall term. That means it’s the first day of school for thousands of students, including moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas who haven’t been in the classroom in a long time.

A milestone worth celebrating

I wonder if their kids and grandkids are the ones snapping photos. They should be! It’s a milestone that should be celebrated. By enrolling in college courses, they’re investing in themselves and making an effort to get ahead in the world.

My first day as a marketing student at NWTC was really low key. I was working full time, and my employer didn’t know I enrolled in classes. After work I ate a quick supper at home and then drove to Green Bay for my night class, Principles of Marketing.

First day of school marks a turning point in life

The moments leading up to my first day as an NWTC marketing student weren’t anything like the send-offs we gave our kids on their first day, except for one significant element. The first day of school marked a turning point in our lives.

I think it takes courage to return to college as an adult. When I stepped into my first marketing class I didn’t know a soul. I didn’t know where to sit, what to say to the other students in the class, or what to take out of my book bag. Just finding the right parking lot, building, and classroom seemed like a victory, and now I was in the classroom ready for who knew what!

It was comforting to see other returning adult students in the class, and our instructor Lisa O’Halloran made us all feel like we belonged.

Learning comes naturally

So, for all those students feeling the familiar First Day of School jitters, here’s my advice. Relax. Simply by registering for classes you have shown that you’re motivated and ready for a challenge. If you love the field that you’re going into, the learning will come naturally.

So, here’s to the first day of school! Shake off those jitters, and make it a great one.

10 Tips for Succeeding in An Online Class

August 21, 2017September 13, 2019 Joan Koehne Leave a comment

I remember the uneasy feeling I had when my work schedule interfered with the Customer Service class I wanted to take at NWTC. I really didn’t like the idea of taking an online class. I was afraid I wouldn’t learn as much, and I thought I needed that weekly class time to keep me on track. As it turned out, I shouldn’t have worried. I completed my Associate degree by taking about half of my classes online.

10 strategies I used when enrolled in an online class

1. Know what’s expected.

At the start of class I picked up my textbook and read through the syllabus, course calendar, and emails from my instructor.

2. Keep it organized.

I created a folder on your computer for each online class and saved all of my documents to this folder. Sometimes I created subfolders to keep track of specific projects or multi-step assignments.

3. Listen to your advisor.

I checked with my marketing adviser when enrolling in a coding course. He suggested the in-person class because I didn’t have a solid background in coding. Your advisor should know what classes are tricky to take online. Just ask!

4. Plan for Success.

My online instructors assigned a “Personal Plan for Success” worksheet. It made me plan a strategy for the class (I did most of my course work on Sundays to avoid conflicts with work), plus a backup plan for handling “obstacles,” like unexpected computer problems.

5. Be ready to roll!

Only 2 weeks into my Customer Service class, a big project was due, the Service Culture Report. I couldn’t believe how much work it was, but it turned out to be one of the best learning experiences of the class.

6. Get friendly with your keyboard.

Plan to do a good amount of writing. Each week I posted comments and responses on the discussion board and typed up my assignments. If you’re not a strong typist, maybe online courses aren’t for you.

7. Ask for help.

The NWTC instructors are really helpful! I remember emailing my instructor, Ronnie Coyle, asking for more time to finish a tough assignment. For another assignment Ronnie sent me screenshots to explain something.

8. Deadlines come up quickly!

Keep track of what’s due and when it’s due. I printed off the course calendar, and I checked off the assignments as I completed them.

9. Don’t leave the party early.

I remember leaving a summer picnic long before sunset because I had an assignment due. Plan ahead, otherwise you might regret signing up for the class.

10. Your grades matter!

Recently, my daughter was asked to submit her college transcript while interviewing for a job. Some employers and most schools will want to see your transcript when you’re applying. The grade you earn in an online class will show up on your transcript, and that grade is just as important as any other. Make sure you put in the effort you need to succeed.

Career Change: Top 3 Things I Learned

July 26, 2017September 13, 2019 Joan Koehne Leave a comment

Joan Koehne Career Change Today marks the 6-month anniversary of Writer to the Rescue, so I decided it’s time to reflect on my career change. Three things stood out.

No. 1: The classroom prepared me for the real world.

I was an NWTC marketing student and an intern at Packerland Websites when I launched Writer to the Rescue. In my first month, I saw my studies come to life. The business people I met were real-world examples of the marketing concepts I was studying in college. Boy, could they give a convincing elevator pitch! I think they read the same Selling Principles book I did! What I was seeing in the field reinforced what I was learning in the classroom. The experiences I had as an intern verified that my class time was well spent, and these experiences helped me prepare for full-time work in the field.

No. 2: The cookie jar is really close by.

How can I be successful working from home? This was one of my questions when I started Writer to the Rescue. The answer: Treat it like a business, and success will come. I have a space dedicated to work. I simply walk up the stairs to get to my “office.” Once I’m there, I’m working. I have set hours, which I track every day. But it’s not just the cookie jar that’s close by, tempting me. The urge to take a nap is hard to resist! From my desk, the couch is 2 steps away, and the bed is 10 steps. Yes, I’ve succumbed, but not that often. I’m happy to report that working from home is workable.

No. 3: Don’t do it alone.

Leaving my job was scary, but preparing for a career change made the departure easier. I met with a business consultant before opening Writer to the Rescue, and he helped me develop a mission statement and vision statement and an approach to basic business operations. He helped calm my fears and provided the guidance I needed to make decisions about my career. The end result left me feeling confident about my future. Now that I’m working as a writer, my husband Bill Koehne of Packerland Websites is my go-to person. I feel much more secure about my career change because I have an experienced business owner to offer support. Mentors are invaluable!

Campers show resilience at stormy 4-H camp

June 15, 2017September 13, 2019 Joan Koehne Leave a comment

I took a break from work to spend four days volunteering on the waterfront at Camp Bird. I built sand castles, judged cannonball contests, canoed among the water lilies, and sang stupid songs at the top of my lungs. Throughout it all, I worked with and supported youth to enrich their camping experience.

Memory making

On a scale of 1 to 10 on the memory-maker meter, Oconto County’s 4-H Summer Camp 2017 rates as an 11. Blame it on the weather. With my whole heart, I never want to see the inside of the camp’s storm shelter ever again. Two trips underground were enough, though I have to admit, the aftermath of the storm (downed trees and branches) was a sure sign we had been in the right place.

I’d think we left camp with confidence gained only by persevering through a tough situation. When we registered for camp we opened ourselves to new opportunities and adventure. But beyond that, we proved our resilience by weathering the unexpected challenges thrown at us by the storm.

No electricity!

The rainstorm knocked out the power on the second day of camp. That’s a really big deal when you have 90 people who need to take a shower! One little girl said she was certain her mom would put her in the bathtub for three days after camp was over. I’m not sure what felt sweeter when I got home: flipping on a light or taking a shower. I missed both of these during my days without electricity.
I bet the campers and counselors felt the same way.

Learning something new

We arrived home Tuesday afternoon with more than sunburn, mosquito bites, and sand in our suitcases. We had memories to last a lifetime. We learned new games, songs, crafts, and ways to entertain ourselves in storm shelters. I saw kids learn to dance the Macarena, row a boat and weave a bracelet. They gained independence by spending a few days away from the comforts of home and the security of mom and dad. I hope the wisdom they earned sticks with them.

Boy, do we have stories to tell!

Social Media Marketing Graduate Loves Writing

May 31, 2017September 13, 2019 Joan Koehne Leave a comment

NWTC graduation. Marketing classes helped Joan become a better writer — My college days are behind me! On May 19, 2017, this “Wonder Writer” crossed the stage to receive her diploma.

How can I help with your writing needs?

This month Writer to the Rescue took flight full time for the first time since I stepped into the Spandex suit with the “W” on the chest in January. I’m now a graduate of two colleges, UW-Eau Claire (journalism) and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (social media marketing).

What do I do now? People ask me this all the time.

I write website content…

I tell the world about businesses, fashioning original, key-word rich content for the About Us page, Home page, Services pages and more. I’ve already written content for an excavator, restaurant, videographer, and asphalt company, just to name a few. To make it easy on everyone, I developed a one-page questionnaire as a starting point. Some clients fill out the questionnaire and respond via email. Others respond over the phone or in person. I frame the website content around the responses to these questions and around the industry-specific research I conduct.

…And I write blog articles

What’s the topic this month? That’s my starting point for writing blog articles. I look at what’s seasonal or trendy. What do people wonder about? What connection can I make between writer and reader?
I want to position my client as an expert in the industry, as a trusted source readers can call upon for products or services.
But what good is a blog article if no one reads it? That’s why I use keywords, distribution strategies and search engine optimization techniques to help the article get found.
Posting blog articles to websites is a great social media marketing strategy. The infusion of original content provides more opportunities to convert visitors to customers. Blogs also enlarge a website, potentially improving its ranking on search engines.

…And I write news and magazine articles

Drawing from nearly 10 years of experience as a journalist, I create superpowerful news or magazine stories. Here’s my approach:
• Gather who, what, when, where, how and why.
• Gracefully weave the story together.
• Wrap it with a strong lead and satisfying conclusion.

• Add an attention-getting headline and quality photograph.
• Submit the package to media outlets.

…And I write and edit specialty assignments

If you need something written or edited, I’m there to help.
• Whiteboard scripts
• Magazine and newspaper articles
• Pro staff agreements
• Invitations
• Newsletters
• Tutorials
• Sales presentations

In need of professional writing services? I’m happy to oblige. Now that I’m full time, I’ve got 40 hours to kill.

Lessons learned from the likes of Alice and Olive

May 16, 2017September 13, 2019 Joan Koehne 2 Comments

It’s time to regroup from a hectic weekend; and what a weekend it was! Saturday night was spent at the 70^th annual Alice in Dairyland finale at the Lambeau Field Atrium. On Sunday I celebrated Mother’s Day and watched the Machickanee Players’ performance of “The Odd Couple,” female version.

Halfway through my weekend I noticed a theme developing – talented women are everywhere. I certainly saw my fair share on Saturday and Sunday.

Amazing on-stage presence

The six finalists in the Alice in Dairyland competition were outstanding; all were knowledgeable about agriculture and well-prepared for the competition. I marveled at how casually they took hold of the microphone and launched into their 5-minute talks, without the aid of notes. All six had college-level training in marketing or communications, and it showed.

We heard two presentations from each finalist and a heartfelt, humorous farewell message from Ann O’Leary, the 69^th Alice in Dairyland. During her reign she spoke to thousands of fourth-graders and answered questions like “Why is cheese yellow if milk is white?” and “Is your name really Alice?” Her response to the second question: “No, my name isn’t Alice, but it would be a lot easier if it were!”

Crystal Siemers-Peterman of Cleveland will wear the tiara (bedecked with gems native to Wisconsin) as the 70^th Alice in Dairyland. She begins a year-long, full-time job with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, travelling the state to promote Wisconsin’s agricultural industry.

Comedic timing was superb

That brings me to another performance featuring talented women. Oscar and Felix were replaced by Olive and Florence in the female version of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple,” performed at the Park Avenue Playhouse in Oconto. The classic comedy about the mismatched roommates – one a neat freak and the other a slob – was both funny and poignant. I especially liked watching Olive, Florence and their four friends bond over their weekly Trivial Pursuit match-ups. They showed how female friendships can be cheeky and wacky, yet tinged with warmth and honesty. The cast pulled it off beautifully! I could just sit back, relax and drink it all in.

Moms have hidden talents

Mothers were the third set of talented women I came in contact with this weekend. The talents we share with our families day-in and day-out largely go unnoticed. Our contributions go beyond household chores and childcare duties. We give our kids support, show them our love, and most importantly, help them move out! But honestly, I love having the kids come home, whether for a weekend or a summer.

On Mother’s Day, I was reminded of the time our college-aged daughter called home, saying she needed to talk to someone. “Aren’t your roommates around?” I asked, clueless. I could hear the impatience in her voice as she said, “I want to talk to you!”

I didn’t say any magic words or quote any great philosophers, but by the end of our conversation I’d said enough to put her life back on track.

That’s a talent all in itself!

Wonder Writer Meets Her Match, Squares Up Against the Best in the Business

May 1, 2017September 13, 2019 Joan Koehne Leave a comment

The big news out of Titletown this weekend? The Green Bay Packers 2017 draft picks. What about the big news out of Untitled Town this weekend?

Never heard of Untitled Town? It’s a first-time event in which readers and writers congregated for three days of homage to the written word.

The Untitled Town Book and Author Festival incorporated more than 70 events in 7 different locations in downtown Green Bay. At writing workshops, panel discussions, and readings I found solidarity with others who truly love words.

Joan Koehne at Untitled Book and Author Festival — Joan Koehne attends Untitled Book and Author Festival.

The presenters were generous in dispensing nuggets of wisdom about their writing. Here are a few gems I packed away:

No finished work is done until someone else reads it.

Writers are divided into two categories: Plotters, who plan carefully, and Pantsers, who write by the seat of their pants.

Readers are seeking a “rabbit hole” — an escape from their jobs, their kids, and their dirty dishes.

Writing is a process. Stories don’t just pop out full-borne. They need to be massaged over time.

Two things are critical to improve your writing: Read a lot, and write a lot.

I call myself Wonder Writer, but I think I met my match this weekend!

These writing professionals are fervently dedicated to their craft. After all, it can be a years-long journey from the first word written to the date a novel is published.

When I consider this daunting scenario, I’m thankful I spend my days crafting 250-500 words at a pop in the form of website content, blog articles, news releases and the like.

I walked away from the conference inspired, yes, but even more so, I felt proud of my role as a storyteller (minuscule as it is) in a vast and diverse writing industry. For this, I thank the creators of #UntitledTown. Can’t wait for next year!