mx.sam brandt
mx.sam brandt

Technical Writer

I have 10+ years of experience as a technical writer in software documentation, with a concentration in SaaS companies. I strive to write quality, audience-specific documentation informed by my informed experience in technical understanding, document design, information hierarchy, and well-reasoned editing, using multiple style guides.

My professional philosophy centers around learning quickly, remaining highly adaptable, and actively engaging in every aspect of the Software Development Life Cycle from start to finish. I want to work on a team and enable other writers to do their best work so I can do mine.

Resume

Experience

January 2019 - August 2023

Technical Writer - Haven

Our technical writing team worked closely with the CTO to establish roles and responsibilities. We started with internal documentation but shifted focus to creating SaaS documentation prioritizing the customer experience as became Haven Technologies.

Haven Technologies

  • Researched content creation options, and purchased and implemented Paligo.

  • Wrote technical-user-focused documentation for backend tools.

  • Contributed to a new style guide and re-wrote existing content for a new tone, style, and audience.

  • Created hiring guidelines and exercise content and participated in hiring a new manager and junior technical writer.

    Haven Life (Jan 2019 - Oct 2021)

  • Consolidated various sources of documentation into a single, centralized location, resulting in a comprehensive internal documentation resource.

  • Focused on standardizing documentation, updating outdated information, and encouraging engineering teams to produce more documentation by creating templates and introducing guidelines.

  • Created an extensive amount of documentation that catered to multiple audiences, typically developers and product owners.

October 2016 - December 2018

1010data - Technical Writer

I joined a seasoned team of technical writers and worked alongside them on an array of documentation projects. I owned and produced developer documentation, as well as documentation for a new SaaS product intended for non-technical users.

  • Owned and maintained nine guides, including SDK guides in .NET, Java, and Python (doxygen) and CLI guides for the DataBlazer tools. I newly authored four of those guides.

  • Created walkthroughs with WalkMe and a user’s guide for a new product.

  • Wrote and published the public-facing changelog.

  • Maintained the documentation team Confluence space.

  • Published a monthly blog called "What's Up, Docs?" to showcase our progress and increase visibility.

July 2016 - September 2016

Bonsai AI - Technical Writer (contract)

Brought on board during the run-up to their beta launch; I delivered documentation for technical and non-technical audiences within a few months. I also conducted research and suggested a viable documentation strategy for their future needs.

I created the following documentation:

  • Getting Started Guide

  • Inkling Guide - a new development language for AI created by Bonsai AI

  • CLI Reference Manual

  • Tutorial: Mountain Car

  • Tutorial: Inkling: Cart Pole

January 2014 - June 2016

Tidemark - Technical Writer

Hired by their initial technical writer, I was the sole writer at Tidemark after five months. 

  • Implemented Mindtouch as a documentation center / knowledge base.

  • Transferred all of our documentation from PDF (InDesign) to Online Help.

January 2012 - December 2013

Oracle - Technical Writer

I was hired through the Oracle College Hires Program. I worked on a range of writing and document-quality projects for Oracle BI and Cloud BI.

 

Education

M.A. Professional and Technical Writing
Carnegie Mellon University
Aug 2010 - Dec 2011

B.A. Philosophy
SUNY Fredonia
Aug 2003 to May 2007

 

Skills & Languages

  • XML, HTML, CSS, DITA

  • Oxygen, Paligo, Mindtouch, Doxygen, JavaDocs, PyDoc

  • Omnigraffle

  • Snagit

  • Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro

  • Basic Python, Java, C#, and Javascript

  • WalkMe

  • Content management

  • Document and online information design

  • Editing

  • Project and time management

  • Usability testing

 
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About

 
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Name: Mx. Sam Brandt

Pronouns: They/Them

Hobbies: Reading, writing, crafts (felting, painting miniatures, etc.), gaming (board games, video games, table top RPG), journaling

Languages:

  • American Sign Language - Completed all levels at the Sign Language Center. I’m able to carry on a conversation. I’m still learning and practicing with other students and self study.

  • Spanish - Studied in grade school for 4 years + a year in college. I can understand more than speak. I’m starting to learn again via Duolingo.

  • Korean - Working with a private tutor. Took classes through Also Known As. I’m just starting, but I’m excited to learn more.

First job: Garden center attendant

Job unlike the rest: Walt Disney World - Character Performer

Interesting fact: I started undergrad as a BFA theatre major, because I wanted to be a stage manager. I still love theatre.

Media

I have participated in various videos and articles.

Glassdoor Blog - Beyond the Binary: Navigating the Workplace as a Non-Binary Individual By. Emily Moore

Haven Life - Life insurance is ready for something (and someone) new

Oracle - It Gets Better Project video (no longer published)