Could you quickly summarise what you do for work?

‍I currently work in a professional services environment at a multinational firm, where my role focuses on coordination, communication, and keeping cross-border projects moving. I support international business activities by preparing client-facing materials, organizing and structuring information, managing follow-ups, and often acting as a communication bridge between internal teams and international clients.

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A big part of my work is taking complex or highly technical information and turning it into something clear and usable for decision-makers. This usually means working across languages, cultures, and very different professional expectations. I work closely with senior colleagues, partners, and external stakeholders, helping ensure that what we deliver is accurate, aligned, and practical—without getting lost in unnecessary complexity.

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Before this role, I worked in academic and international education environments, where I managed admissions processes, supported academic programs, and communicated daily with students, faculty, and external partners. That experience trained me to handle complex workflows, high volumes of communication, and constant deadlines with structure and patience. Across all of my roles, my work has consistently been about clarity, coordination, and making systems work better for the people who use them.

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Do you think being able to communicate in writing matters in your field? Why or why not?

Yes, very much so. In my field, writing is not just a way to communicate; it is how work actually happens. Most coordination, decision-making, and follow-up occur in writing, whether via email, summaries, or client-facing documents. What is written often becomes the reference point for what was agreed, explained, or expected.

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Clear writing matters because the work itself is complex and often involves multiple stakeholders across different countries, languages, and professional cultures. If something is unclear in writing, it is very easy for misunderstandings to multiply. Good writing helps set expectations, reduce unnecessary back-and-forth, and keep projects moving efficiently.

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Writing also carries a level of responsibility. Messages can be forwarded, revisited, or relied upon later, so precision and tone are just as important as content. Over time, I have learned that strong writing is closely tied to trust, both internally and with clients. When communication is clear, structured, and thoughtful, people are more confident in the work and in the person behind it.

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In short, writing matters because it supports clarity, accountability, and collaboration, all of which are essential in a professional services environment.

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What, if any, parts of your work require you to write?

Almost every part of my work requires writing in one form or another. I write regularly to coordinate tasks, clarify expectations, and follow up on discussions, whether through emails, short summaries, or structured notes. Even when conversations happen verbally, they usually need to be captured in writing afterward to confirm decisions and next steps.

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I also work on client-facing materials, where writing needs to be especially clear, structured, and intentional. In these cases, writing is not just about sharing information, but about making complex points understandable and actionable for the reader. The way something is written can directly affect how it is received and interpreted.

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Beyond communication, writing supports internal organization. Documenting progress, tracking updates, and structuring information all depend on clear written records. In practice, writing is how ideas and tasks move from discussion to execution.

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Overall, writing is not an add-on to my role, it is the main channel through which my work takes shape and delivers value.

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How is writing as part of your job changing with time, especially regarding recent technology?

Writing as part of my job has become faster, more frequent, and more intentional over time. There is much less emphasis on long explanations and more expectation that information will be delivered clearly, efficiently, and in a well-structured way. Short summaries, bullet points, and clearly framed messages are increasingly preferred, especially in fast-paced or cross-border projects.

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Recent technology has significantly changed how writing is produced. Tools that assist with drafting, editing, and translating content make it easier to work across languages and time zones, and they help reduce the mechanical effort of writing. This has made communication more efficient, but it has also raised expectations. Even quick messages are expected to be accurate, professional, and carefully considered.

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As a result, writing is shifting away from simply producing text and toward exercising judgment. The key skill now lies in deciding what truly needs to be said, how directly it should be communicated, and how to adjust tone for different audiences. Technology can support speed and structure, but clarity, responsibility, and context remain human responsibilities. In that sense, writing is becoming less visible but more important than ever.

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Does writing help you to think?

Yes, writing helps me think, and not only in a practical or analytical sense. For me, writing is a way to slow down and regain clarity in a fast-changing and often overwhelming environment. When everything moves quickly, and information comes from multiple directions at once, writing creates a pause. It allows me to step back, breathe, and focus.

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Writing also works as a form of quiet reflection, almost like meditation. By putting thoughts on paper, I am able to calm my mind and reduce mental noise. What feels confusing or heavy internally often becomes more manageable once it is written down. Writing gives structure to emotions and ideas that might otherwise remain scattered.

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Another important aspect is that writing allows me to track my thinking over time. By looking back at what I have written, I can see how my thoughts evolved, what influenced certain decisions, and how my perspective has shifted. This sense of flow helps me understand myself better and make more grounded choices going forward.

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In this way, writing is not just a tool for producing outcomes or communicating with others. It is a personal process that helps me think more clearly, stay centered, and navigate complexity with intention.

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To sum up, what's a quote which helps summarise how you feel about writing?

''Writing is a way of ordering the mind''.

-Virginia Woolf, diaries & essays

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Thank you!

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