Question
Was there a spark that kindled your interest before you ever seriously considered being a Content Manager?
Answer
Renee loved being a Content Manager
This work didn't begin with this title. I knew I wanted to work with Sokanu the moment I read the mission statement of the company. The words "help people find their passion" resonated with me and I knew I had to help. I knew I liked to write...but I didn't know what that meant I should do. Write a book? One day. But I was still looking for my path. I even considered becoming a career counselor when I was in high school. Maybe if I didn't know, I could help someone else figure it out. Then the chance came along for me to help people. I started as an intern writing content for the career pages. Since my "expertise" was writing, my focus was on the Journalism and Writing careers. After that, I worked closely with Spencer Thompson, though remotely, (props to Skype) building our vision for the company and spending many hours in spreadsheets collecting data. I had no plans to end my internship. Whatever Sokanu was up to, I wanted to be a part of it and contribute however I could. I think that when you see a vision, and you just KNOW it will succeed, giving up is not an option. After a year and a half, Spencer asked me to move to Vancouver (a city I'd imagined living in since I was little) to work for Sokanu full time. The rest is history. And right now.
Question
What was the most important thing you did to become a Content Manager?
Answer
Renee Masur
I kept doing it. Before I finally came on board the official Sokanu ship, I kept swimming with it as an intern, helping out where I could, offering my ideas and time, and staying in touch with CEO regularly. I truly believed in the mission and I wasn't going to let it go until I could actually help people find out exactly what they want to do in life.
Question
What is the most important skill for someone who wants to become a Content Manager?
Answer
Renee Masur
Know your voice. Begin to find the line that taps into who you are and the voice of whatever company or project you are working with. Since a huge portion of what I do is writing, I have to be very confident that what I am producing will help someone. Even if I'm not sure, trusting myself to figure it out always keeps me moving when I think I should stop. (And I should never stop--unless it's to go get a coffee).
Question
What was the most rewarding experience in your career as a Content Manager?
Answer
Renee Masur
Working in the environment I do. I love Sokanu and everything it stands for. The people, our values, and our general sense of compassion and love for the people we want to help. We also know how to share some laughs throughout the day. And finishing that perfect piece of content that I know is just where it should be. I really get giddy. It's a little ridiculous.
There are two traits to my personality that make this work so enjoyable for me. The first, I love to write. In every sense of it. I'm obsessed with notebooks, paper, fine liner pens, freshly printed paper, the sound of the keyboard as you tappity-tap your thoughts on the page. Though, I want to be very clear, that the actual flow of writing, I find, is incredibly difficult to get into. But once I find it, I feel almost euphoric, especially after I finish a product. I feel a rush and I can barely sit down. Secondly, I love to be organized. I make my bed every morning, I keep my inbox clean and nearly empty. Before I begin work I like to have my desk cleared away and tidy so that the focus is all on the task. Managing the content means there are lots articles, posts, quotes, stories, documents, spreadsheets (phew!) to take care of and keep in order. And again, I feel a tiny rush whenever someone needs something and I know EXACTLY where to get it!