Skip to main content
UC Berkeley Extension

Voices Blog

  • Educator Insights
  • Student Stories
  • Professional Pathways
  • Industry Trends

Search form

External Menu

  • Berkeley Extension

Writing, Editing and Technical Communication

Technical Communication professional sequence graduate Scott Barney
 

Backed by Formal Education

Editing and Technical Communication professional sequences graduate Amber Fischer
 

Communication by Design

Closeup photo of a diary and pencil
 

Fifteen Hours and 5,900 Miles Away

Technical Communication professional sequence graduate Scott Barney

Backed by Formal Education

Lori Gray - October 27, 2022

The technology that we know today was in its infancy when Scott Barney headed off to college. A career in communication wasn’t in his sights either.

Student Stories technical communication technical writing editing career enhancement
Editing and Technical Communication professional sequences graduate Amber Fischer

Communication by Design

Lori Gray - September 12, 2022

Professional Sequence in Editing and Professional Sequence in Technical Communication graduate Amber Fischer grew up in Boulder, Colo., attended Colorado State University and earned a degree in

Student Stories technical communication editing technical writing career enhancement
Closeup photo of a diary and pencil

Fifteen Hours and 5,900 Miles Away

Laurie Ann Doyle - August 30, 2022

In March 2020, my UC Berkeley Extension class shifted suddenly from a live classroom-based course to one held via Zoom. Although I initially found the platform challenging, I soon realized that

Student Stories creative writing fiction writing Educator Insights International online learning
Certificate Program in Writing graduate Natalie Lynn Harrison

A Flame Rekindled

Lori Gray - August 5, 2022

For Natalie Lynn Harrison, finding her path in life via non-traditional educational opportunities is not something new.

Neither is getting creative to get her writing out into the world.

Student Stories creative writing certificate program writing certificate career change
Illustration of a bot working on a laptop with writing on the screen

Alexa, Check My Spelling

Sarah Benzuly - March 2, 2022

Sure, you can ask Siri or Alexa to tell you a joke, add something to your grocery list or set a timer. You can even have your Tesla drive itself. The future of AI is here and it’s trickling down

Educator Insights Professional Pathways grammar skills copyediting editing AI machine learning
Professional Writing Program graduate Milly Vega photo in front of white background

Enhancing an International Skill Set

Lori Gray - January 6, 2022

Milly Vega already had more than 10 years of professional writing experience under her belt when she enrolled in our Professional Writing Program. She had worked as a communications technician, a

Student Stories professional writing public relations professional program international learner
Editing sequence graduate Maria Heintzinger smiling for a camera

An Editor From Mars

Lori Gray - November 16, 2021

Maria Heintzinger has never been to Mars, the planet.

Maria has always lived in the surrounding communities of Pittsburgh and graduated from Mars Area High School. For college, she chose

Student Stories editing copyediting communications career development career enhancing
Photo of Certificate Program in Writing graduate, M.F.A. graduate and author Lisa Riddiough

Crafting Stories for Middle-Grade Readers

Lori Gray - October 8, 2021

“I would not have applied to nor been accepted to an M.F.A. program if it weren’t for the instruction I received through the Certificate Program in Writing,” says Lisa Riddiough, who graduated

Student Stories Writing creative writing MFA publishing published book
Ursa Minor literary arts journal logo

What's Going on at Ursa Minor

Lori Gray - February 4, 2021

Every year, students in and graduates of the Certificate Program in Writing, along with students in our visual arts programs, have the opportunity to submit their creative writing or artwork for

Writing Ursa Minor literary journal creative writing
Photo of Kathryn Phelan

Finding the Nooks and Crannies of Good Editing

Sarah Benzuly - January 7, 2021

Electing to take nonfiction writing classes while working toward an international relations degree at Grand Valley State University, Kathryn started to gain experience that would later solidify as

Student Stories editing scholarship winner scholarships
Professional Writing Community Impact Scholarship winner Adelle Brunstad reading her work at an event. Photo.

Big Future for Small-Town Writer

Lori Gray - October 2, 2020

Adelle Brunstad’s passion for writing and telling stories that promote change started in her early adolescence.

While she’s only 19, Adelle doesn’t consider her lack of business experience

Student Stories Writing professional writing business writing scholarship winner
Writing certificate graduate and author Bill Truran next to a red sports car with hills behind him. Photo.

History That Bears Repeating

Lori Gray - May 29, 2020

When I first contacted Certificate Program in Writing graduate and author Bill Truran, he had just heard back from his editor about his first manuscript since finishing the certificate. And how

Student Stories Writing creative nonfiction creative writing published writer
Editing student, scholarship winner Tracy Locken at a table in the library, with a laptop and books

Recognizing an Opportunity for Career Change

Lori Gray - February 4, 2020

You could say Tracy Locken partially owes her career direction toward freelance editing to a junior high school choir—and her tween daughter.

Student Stories editing scholarship online learning
Writing certificate graduate Nancy Tompkins standing off-center in front of a carousel

Believing in What She Writes

Lori Gray - January 14, 2020

Writing essays and short stories may not be on Nancy Tompkins’ career path. But it is now part of who she is.

Student Stories Writing creative writing creative nonfiction Ursa Minor
Professional Sequence in Editing gradaute Alison Kranz standing in front of a brick wall, hand brushing back hair by ear

Job Unicorns Are Real

Lori Gray - December 6, 2019

How does an art curator and events assistant end up in a writing and editing career in financial services? Well, for Alison Kranz, it was by way of two internships in Sacramento.

Student Stories Writing editing career advancement professional writing
Certificate Program in Writing graduate and Ursa Minor writer and editor Barbara Jordan

The 5 Parts of a Writer’s Story

Lori Gray - October 25, 2019

“As is common with many English teachers,” Barbara says, “I thought of myself as a teacher who might have been a writer if my life path had led me there instead of into the classroom. I had

Writing Student Stories certificate creative writing Ursa Minor
Editing program graduate Stephanie Martch sitting on a park bench in Texas

Going From Project Director to Science Writer

Lori Gray - September 24, 2019

Early on, Stephanie Martch knew that a combination of science and writing would make up her career path. What she didn’t know was that a proficiency in editing would be the skill that would

Student Stories Writing editing technical writing science writing
Headshot of Editing Honored Instructor Cathleen Small, standing outside with a neighborhood and sunset in background

When Mother Knows Best

Lori Gray - July 1, 2019

Cathleen Small is enthusiastic about teaching.

That enthusiasm and ability to engage a class stems from her experience teaching freshman composition while pursuing her master’s degree in

Educator Insights Writing editing honored instructor freelance editor

Fashion-Forward to Copywriter

Lori Gray - May 7, 2019

Specialized Program in Professional Writing graduate Helen Schultheis has a “great love for storytelling, and a knack for educating and entertaining consumers.”

This is not surprising:

Student Stories Writing professional writing copywriter freelance writer
Stock photo of a woman with arms crossed behind her head in relaxation after working on her novel on a laptop.

Your Written Masterpiece Is Not Yet Finished

Lori Gray - April 8, 2019

You started a piece of fiction or nonfiction in a recent writing class or workshop, and since that course has ended, so has your writing. What are the next steps to keep your work-in-progress from

Writing Educator Insights creative writing writing workshop Laurie Ann Doyle Daniel Coshnear
Photo collage of online writing instructor Marc Schiffman in Cambodia and a travel visa and passport imagery background.

The Online Writing Circle

Lori Gray - February 13, 2019

Introduction to Writing Fiction and The Craft of Reading instructor Marc Schiffman, M.F.A. (Ph.D. equivalent), has taught a variety of writing and literature courses over the years for the

Educator Insights Writing fiction writing Craft of Reading Online Courses guest blog instructor
Writing instructor and poet Clive Matson standing in the front of a classroom at UC Berkeley Extension in San Francisco

Let Your Crazy Child Run Free

Clive Matson - January 16, 2019

When you take published poet Clive Matson’s Exploring Creative Writing course, you get an opportunity to experiment and discover your writing potential in a safe and supportive learning

Educator Insights Writing creative writing poetry
Professional Sequence in Editing graduate Harlow Carpenter in the library

Composing the Editing Score

Lori Gray - December 3, 2018

Not many people would think the roles of baker, musician and editor are all connected. But for Harlow Carpenter, who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, life is all about

Student Stories Writing editing freelancing
Photo of Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing graduate Aliceanna Stopher

Honoring Her Writing Talent With Action

Lori Gray - September 26, 2018

For as long as she can remember, Aliceanna Stopher has always been writing. At a young age, she wrote to keep herself occupied. Later on, she attended creative writing classes and an intensive art

Student Stories Writing MFA creative writing graduate school
Photograph of Editing sequence graduate and ESOL teacher Elizabeth Bobst

Using Editing Skills to Teach English to Speakers of Other Languages

Lori Gray - July 23, 2018

North Carolina–based Elizabeth Bobst is more of a “rule-fudger than a rule-follower.”

A longtime educator—from middle- and high-school English teacher, to college admissions reader, to

Student Stories Writing editing career enhancing professional program

Making a New Career as an Editor

Lori Gray - June 4, 2018

Like Marie Coreil, you might already have a long, satisfying career in one industry when you suddenly find yourself wanting to pursue something new. For 23 years, Marie had taught medical

Student Stories Writing editing Online Courses freelancing
stock photo of a stack of books on a woden table by the beach

Whatcha Reading?

Lori Gray - May 16, 2018

For many, summer reading lists conjure up memories of a list you received at the end of the school year and needed to complete by the start of the next (Berkeley freshmen, this is for you: reading

Educator Insights Writing creative writing poetry summer reading lists
books stacked on top of each other

More Than Just Messages

Lori Gray - April 9, 2018

On Thursday, March 27, 2013, Ken Mandelkern had an aha moment. It was after supper, and he was on the couch reading A Farewell to Arms as his kids slept upstairs and his wife, Annie,

Student Stories Writing creative writing fiction writing certificate

Discovering Your Voice in Flash Fiction

Lori Gray - March 28, 2018

What kind of story can you tell with just 100 words? Turns out, you can write stories that are complete with plot, written with care and still within that limited word count. And Lynn Mundell,

Educator Insights Writing creative writing flash fiction
Writing graduate in deep thought

Trusting in Potential

Lori Gray - March 7, 2018

“I remember being unable to sleep one night—and thinking about the various inadequacies of the job I was working at the time—and somehow realizing that writing was something I had been denying

Student Stories Writing creative writing MFA graduate school

Writing Like a Champion

Lori Gray - February 15, 2018

More than five years ago, Vincent Chu took an important step toward officially becoming a writer: enrolling in The Craft of Writing, a required course in the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program

Student Stories Writing creative writing Craft of Writing Lindsey Crittenden

Berkeley author Jane Anne Staw writes about the pleasures and importance of thinking small

Lori Gray - January 31, 2018

Jane Anne Staw may be the Bay Area’s horse whisperer for writers. A successful writer herself, Staw has served as a teacher and writing coach for hundreds of people through her private classes, at

Educator Insights Writing honored instructor Jane Anne Staw
Stock photo of written play excerpt with a line from "King Richard"

Why You Should Study Shakespeare

Lori Gray - January 17, 2018

“Nay, an I tell you that, I’ll ne'er look you i' th’ face again: but those that understood him smiled at one another and shook their heads; but, for mine own part, it was Greek to me.”

Educator Insights Writing Humanities Shakespeare Maggie Trapp

Video: Turn Your Writing Into Your Career

Lori Gray - November 30, 2017

“It wasn't just one single moment that I had this cataclysmic kind of thought; it was more that I had a calling my whole life and then I finally yielded to it."
      —Extension Honored

Writing Educator Insights Student Stories creative writing writing career

Nonfiction Writer Discovers His Creativity

Lori Gray - November 16, 2017

When Thomas Farley enrolled in Creative Nonfiction Workshop, he didn’t know what he was getting himself into. Already a published writer of nonfiction for magazines, newspapers and websites,

Student Stories Writing creative nonfiction writing workshop David Rompf

Laurie Ann Doyle: A Writer Who Takes Risks

Lori Gray - September 19, 2017

Extension Honored Instructor Laurie Ann Doyle is no stranger to revisiting her writing.

Educator Insights Writing creative writing Ursa Minor honored instructor

The “Non-Teaching” Teacher

Lori Gray - August 17, 2017

“He is such a naturally talented teacher that I bet a knitting class with him would be fun and informative,” a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing student wrote in one of Daniel

Educator Insights Writing creative writing honored instructor Dan Coshnear

Even a Writing Instructor Has to Pay His Dues

Lori Gray - June 14, 2017

“Write what you know.” Every time I speak to one of our writing graduates, this is the first piece of advice I hear for someone to beat the odds and get their work published. Another piece of

Writing Educator Insights creative writing Paul Cohen

Finding the Draw in Your Children’s Picture Book Story

Lori Gray - June 2, 2017

Few people find inspiration when they receive a rejection letter. But for instructor Alan Schroeder—a writer who began pursuing the genre of children’s picture books on a whim—rejection letter

Writing Educator Insights creative writing picture book writing

Addressing the Career Challenges of New Freelance Editors

Lori Gray - March 1, 2017

"I can't get a job if I don't have experience, but I can't get experience if I don't have a job." Writer Lorna Walsh became well aware of this catch when she switched gears to embark on an editing

Student Stories Writing editing

Is Self-Publishing Still Writing’s Road Less Traveled?

Lori Gray - February 13, 2017

You’ve taken a creative writing course and now you have a collection of stories or a memoir or a novel. You’ve decided that being a writer just might be your calling. So how do you go about

Industry Trends Educator Insights Writing publishing Stephen Albert

Education Is a Two-Way Street

Lori Gray - January 20, 2017

Not everyone is cut out to fully commit to higher education at 18 years old. Or at 22. Or even at 54. But what UC Berkeley Extension Honored Instructor Jane Anne Staw finds great about her

Educator Insights Writing Podcasts teaching adults

From Script to Screen

Lori Gray - January 17, 2017

Fade in: It is a crisp winter day in Northern California. Discussing the dream of “making it big” is award-winning independent filmmaker and UC Berkeley Extension instructor Megan Siler, who

Educator Insights Writing screenwriting film

A Writer In an Editor’s Shoes

Lori Gray - December 15, 2016

Many writers dream of one day being published. Not many people aspire to call themselves an editor. Yet editing is a competitive field, and the skills required to be a successful editor are very

Student Stories Writing Ursa Minor

In Their Own Words

Lori Gray - November 4, 2016

As part of your education in the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing, you have the opportunity to share your prose with the community at large in "Ursa Minor," the student arts and

Industry Trends Writing Ursa Minor Podcasts student readings

What is NaNoWriMo, Anyway?

Lori Gray - September 2, 2016

National Novel Writing Month is a literary event in which writers pen a 50,000-word novel during the month of November—and it can be one of the most exciting challenges a writer can undertake.

Educator Insights Writing NaNoWriMo

Making Writing a Priority

Lori Gray - July 18, 2016

Now in the thick of University of San Francisco's M.F.A. in Writing, post-bacc writing grad Rose Heredia reflects on the good preparation for graduate school that she received at Extension.

Student Stories Writing MFA graduate

Is an M.F.A. in Writing for You?

Lori Gray - July 18, 2016

You'd think writers would excel at filling out graduate school applications and submitting personal essays, right? Even if your writing chops are top-notch, you'll want to make sure you are fully

Writing MFA graduate Student Stories

What Is "story"?

Lori Gray - June 10, 2016

Poets Studied and in Conversation instructor Laura Walker recently published "story," a collection of poems about how we form the stories we tell ourselves.

Educator Insights Writing poetry

Knowing What You Want to Write

Lori Gray - May 12, 2016

Getting her writing published didn't come easily to Lisa Riddiough. Rejected by agents and editors for a children's picture book, Riddiough found herself needing a formal program to strengthen her

Student Stories Writing MFA Ursa Minor graduate

Meet Editing Graduate Lorna Partington Walsh

Lori Gray - April 4, 2016

Not only is Lorna Partington Walsh enhancing her creative writing by learning the ins and outs of editing, she’s also helping other editors launch their careers in the field.

Student Stories Writing editing Online Courses Ursa Minor

Meet Graduate Dianna Bautista

Lori Gray - February 29, 2016

For Professional Sequence in Technical Communication graduate Dianna Bautista, it was during her final year of studying biochemistry and cell biology abroad that she realized she wanted to pursue

Student Stories Writing technical communication sciences

Technical Writing: The Logical Next Step in Sreevani Sreejith's Career

Lori Gray - February 19, 2016

After a short career break from being a software engiener, Sreevani Sreejith re-emerged with a career change to technical writing.

Student Stories Writing technical communication

Writing Graduate Aisa Valenzuela Never Ignored Her Desire to Write

Lori Gray - February 1, 2016

It takes a leap of faith to follow your passions—especially when you're an undergrad and have to declare a major. Aisa Valenzuela never faltered in her faith in writing.

Student Stories Writing Online Courses Ursa Minor journalism

Student Laurie Blanton Fosters Her Passion for Writing Fiction

Lori Gray - July 6, 2015

In the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program in Writing, Laurie Blanton is gaining new tools and structure to finesse her psychological fiction novels.

Student Stories Writing technical communication fiction writing