Jared Walls
Technical Writer
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
Joined the Army in high school, received a medical discharge less than a year in.
Moved back to my hometown and got a job as a prison guard.
Enrolled in college, started out as a Statistics major, had a very hard time navigating a stressful line of work with college.
Got a job that was less stressful (still full time, though), changed my major to English.
As my GPA improved, I considered graduate school, I looked to mentors to help me accomplish that goal.
My mother had a bad car accident my senior year of college. I had to stick around to help her get back on her feet. I had gotten into grad school, but asked to start a semester later.
After grad school, interviewed for several tech writer positions, but did not get hired. Worked a job I was over qualified for for several months. I was eventually offered a teaching position.
My wife and I had twins in 2013. I didn’t make “have twins” money. I found a job at the end of that year at the dept. of transportation (technical editing). That job led to my current role.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Huntsville High School
Huntsville High School
Career
Technical Writer
Edit and draft fiscal policies and procedures used by state agencies to maintain their accounting and payroll systems.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Writing
Numbers
Problem Solving
Day to Day
Collaborating with subject matter experts to update and draft procedures. Essentially, we take laws relating to finance and accounting passed by the federal government and the Texas Legislature and explain to other state agencies and universities how they are to be implemented. I also am currently working on modernizing the tools we use for project management. The government workforce is an aging population, and I’ve used that to my benefit.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Get a job. Doesn’t have to be your dream job, but it should be one that will help you get there. If it’s not, rather than hate what you’re doing, figure how to utilize your role to help you get to that next place. Pursue a side hustle that is absolutely related to what you love. Don’t forget to make time to relax and have fun.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Parents:
"I think you should probably get a business degree—it’ll make things easier..."
Challenges I Overcame
First-Generation College Student
