Innovation thrives when people are empowered to grow, explore, and lead. Catherine Girczyc, our Manager of Technical Communications, is a shining example of how curiosity, creativity, and support can fuel a fulfilling career in the world of payments.
Having worked at Convera for over 15 years, Catherine has built a career that blends her love of storytelling with the precision of technical writing, to help clients navigate our global payment platforms with clarity and confidence.
From Alberta to the world
Catherine’s journey began in the heart of Alberta, Canada’s Stettler County, where she grew up on a farm. Her academic path took her to Edmonton, where she earned a B.A. Honors in English and an M.F.A. in Drama, Screenwriting, and Playwriting. Later, Catherine added a certificate in Technical and Business Communications, setting the stage for a career that would combine creativity with technical expertise.
“I’m very passionate about writing fiction and scripts,” Catherine shares. “And I saw an opportunity to leverage my writing skills in a technical capacity that would also challenge me intellectually.”
Catherine joined Convera in 2010, looking for a role where her newly acquired technical writing skills could flourish. Catherine found more than just a job in Convera, she found a place to grow.
“I wanted a position in software tech writing where my new skills were appreciated,” Catherine explains. “And over time, I’ve had the opportunity to learn, lead, and integrate Technical Communications into the company’s planning flows. It’s been a really rewarding experience that has allowed me to expand my skill set and grow both personally, and professionally.”
Today, Catherine leads all technical communications at Convera. She creates and maintains a rich library of user assistance materials, including release notes, videos, online help tutorials, and user guides.
“The work that I do spans multiple platforms and audiences, which means I’ve become fluent in a range of tools like Flare, Capture, Snag-it, Camtasia, and WalkMe. There’s always something new to learn, which is great because it keeps things interesting,” says Catherine.
A day in the life
Based on Canada’s West Coast, Catherine starts her day early to sync with global teams. Mornings are for meetings and management while afternoons are for hands-on creation.
“I’m the manager in the morning and the worker in the afternoon,” she laughs. “I really enjoy working with people around the world, hearing different perspectives on what Convera is doing and what our customers’ needs are.”
Her recent work on upgrades to Convera’s payment platform has been especially rewarding. “We’ve branched into using WalkMe and Camtasia videos which has been another exciting opportunity to expand my skillset.”
“The WalkMe tool is especially interesting, because it increases our ability to reach customers in-platform where they’re booking transactions. It’s great knowing that we can give customers the information they need at the exact moment they need it,” says Catherine.
Thriving in a culture of support and innovation
When asked what has kept her inspired at Convera for the past 15 years, Catherine highlights the ongoing evolution of the business.
“We’re always developing something new, which means I always have fresh and interesting work to do,” she explains. “And my managers have always been extremely supportive of what I do, helping me gain access to new tools that continually improve our technical communications. Everyone at Convera wants to see each other succeed in their roles.”
What skills are essential for a technical writer at Convera? Catherine credits her success to a mix of curiosity, attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple projects across different applications.
“Curiosity is key,” she says. “You need to patience to go through an application before anyone else and figure out all the minute details, so you can anticipate what users will need to know.”
From Sci-Fi to innovation, Catherine is always looking at the future
Before joining Convera, Catherine wrote professionally for television, including the cult-favorite animated series Cybersix, and Canadian productions like Just Cause and The Collector.
“I haven’t lost my love of creative writing,” says Catherine. “When I’m not drafting technical communications for Convera, I continue to write science fiction and fantasy stories under the name Cat Girczyc, which you can find at catscreenwriting.com.”
Outside of work, Catherine’s interests are as diverse as the range of applications she uses on the job. “I love to get out in the garden, I do a lot of knitting, and I have a keen interest in cairn terriers. My daughter is pursuing her Master’s in Film Studies, so we also share a passion for fiction and scripts.”
Catherine is excited about the future of Convera, and its ability to innovate and grow while keeping the customer as its core focus.
“Convera provides the unique blend of a great work environment with enough new experiences to ensure the job is interesting all the time,” she says. “We’re constantly evolving to meet customer needs, and I’m excited about being part of this innovative journey.”
Inspired by Catherine’s story? Visit our careers page to discover how you can grow professionally in a culture that values innovation, collaboration and continuous learning.
