About Me
I took an unusual path to technical communication—and I think that makes me effective.
The Short Version:
After ten years as a freelance writer, several years teaching philosophy at the University of Toronto, and roles ranging from grant writer to educational content developer, I realized all my best work had the same thread: translating complexity into clarity. So, I committed to technical communication as a career, enrolled in Seneca Polytechnic's intensive certificate program, and started building a portfolio that demonstrates I can deliver.
The Longer Version:
2015-2025: Freelance Writer & Editor
Learned to adapt my voice to any audience, manage client relationships across time zones and cultures ("Top Rated" on Upwork, 120+ clients across 16 countries from 2015-2020), and deliver under pressure. I still write for a small collection of clients, including ghostwriting a tech-related weekly newsletter with over 25,000 subscribers.
2011-2020: Barkerville Historic Site
Started as an entry-level performer, ended as the person they called when they needed policies written, grants secured ($630K+ in successful proposals), or educational programs developed. I learned how to add value to an organization over time and adapt to whatever role needed filling.
2021-2024: University of Toronto
Earned my MA in Philosophy (2022) then continued leading tutorials and grading papers in 11 courses in Ethics, Social & Political Philosophy, Ancient Greek Philosophy, and Continental Philosophy. I graded thousands of essays and led weekly discussions where I had to make complex ideas accessible to students with zero background and was consistently ranked well-above department average in student satisfaction. Teaching philosophy, I've learned, is a lot like technical writing (for abstract systems).
2025: Seneca Polytechnic
Recognized formal technical communication training could help me gain valuable skills, so I enrolled in an intensive program with a high attrition rate. Currently, I'm maintaining a 4.0 GPA and President's Honours status while building a portfolio of real work: user guides, help centers, style guides, and documentation systems.
What Else:
I volunteer as an adult literacy tutor, helping a man with a lifelong learning disability write and publish his memoirs. I also write a Substack analyzing The Simpsons episode-by-episode (currently ~10 seasons deep). I was a touring musician for years and still write and perform music with That Dog Was A Band Now.
Let's talk: dustinjallen.writer@gmail.com