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Michele never aspired to a
writing career despite her first writing award at age nine, as judged by
her third-grade peers.
Her first love was
politics and social justice, reinforced through topics she studied as a
member of her high school debate team. “We stank, but we had
fun!” recalls Michele. After she earned an undergraduate degree in
political science, law school seemed inevitable. But a desire to study
something more dynamic led to a master’s degree in public policy
and a stint in state government where she wrote research reports.
But over time she realized
government reports typically receive little exposure beyond key
legislators, their staff, and lobbyists: “No one ever reads these
things!” The desire to “make a difference” and do
something with a practical impact led to a life-changing move to Sweden
in 1990 and a teaching career that included everything from executive
English to high school math.
Michele’s career took another turn when she
was asked to produce an internal newsletter for one of Sweden’s
largest international companies. She later assumed editorship of the
company’s corporate magazine to managerial accolades:
“Michele – I also prefer the shorter draft. I envy your
ability to cut right through and make it better!”
In 1996, Michele decided to quit fighting her
destiny and become a freelance writer specializing in corporate internal
news and promotional articles for international businesses and
organizations. She explains, “I write about the everyday challenges
employees face in developing and bringing a product to market, as well as
the successes a company experiences with its products. Employees want to
be involved and feel like they’ve contributed to that success.
“Helping people understand ‘the big
picture’ and get the information they need to do their jobs better
is deeply satisfying and rewarding. Information is power and, ultimately,
the key to creativity, innovation, and the long-term success of
individuals and companies.”
After 20 years in Sweden, Michele is almost fluent in Swedish!
Michele Jiménez
hails from the U.S. state of Minnesota. But in a flight of fancy that
most certainly caused her Sweden-born American forebears to turn in their
graves, she moved to their ancestral homeland in 1990 where she currently
resides. Michele has worked as a political aide, public policy analyst,
management consultant, high school teacher, language coach, and, most
recently, corporate news writer.
“I am
learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma.” – Eartha Kitt
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