It’s the same in busy NJ suburbs. If you don’t call the police on the spot, you can still file a report later.

right, candy costs a lot more than when we were kids.

I’ve been a healthcare writer for more than 25 years and have a master’s degree in journalism. Technical writing isn’t something folks regularly hire consultants for–you would have an editor perform that function. Freelance technical writing gigs are a thing but can be extremely difficult without a ready network. If you pursue writing for life sciences, you will compete with those with clinical backgrounds and struggle. If you pursue writing for health tech or the like, there are a lot more opportunities. It really helps to have a ready network though, especially these days. Many of the “build a reputation as a freelancer” gigs have gone to AI. Agency assignments tend to be more steady, but they tend to stand in the middle– so you’re not building a relationship with the client (or sometimes no one but the person assigning) and the pay is hardly worth the time. However, if you can get a few steady clients (especially B2B), it can be a wonderful way to have frequent work while affording flexibility. Other than traveling to the occasional conference, I am based from home and can pick and choose when I work. Even when employed as a full-time editor, I had a lot of WFH back when that was pretty unusual.

OP – We’ll all be here to cheer for you after you crush this presentation. You got this!

If you need permission from another stranger to have your script with you while you speak you have it. Make sure to have some water near by. If you find yourself getting flustered or panicked take a pause to have a sip of water and re find your place in your notes and take a breath! Pauses and silent moment feel like eons when you’re the one talking, but I promise the audience only experiences a few seconds.

Also, every time I’ve watched a nervous colleague give a presentation, I may have noticed a shakey hand, a shakey voice or a blush. I’m way more impressed by their ability to keep going and I sit there sending their mental cheers.

bravery isn’t doing something without fear, it’s doing the thing anyway.

My husband has needed hearing aids for the 22 years I’ve known him. At 50 (this year) he finally got them after pricing out and trying out MANY different types. He ended up getting the Jabra brand (yes the same brand as your speaker phone) and I cannot put into words the amazing life improvement he has had in these past 6 months. Try Jabra. We’ve been really impressed with their ongoing support, including the audiologist on demand as needed.

This! People say this all the time, but I really think the majority of people there have school age kids and many have a kid who is 10+