<div>Hello world!
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<div>My name is Kythera. I’m a super geeky nerd; I draw stuff, I make epic grilled cheese sandwiches, and I’m obsessed with gargoyles (and <em>Gargoyles</em>). I’m also queer, neurodivergent, and cannot drive (disability). Professionally, I'm a mid-career technical writer/editor/proofreader/Atlassian admin/manual QA tester, and all-around documentation Swiss Army knife. I thought I'd hit my stride in my career, but that thing everyone dreads happened at the end of November 2024: "reduction in force."
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<div>I've been diligently looking for a new job ever since. I took every class, workshop, and presentation I possibly could through the career transition program that was part of my severance package. I've pushed the limits of my neurodivergence to network, network, network. Tailored, intentional applications? You bet. Personalized cover letters? So many.
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<div>I've followed all of the most current, up to date, highly recommended advice and best practices that flood LinkedIn and spill from the optimized, keyword-loaded promoted posts by Top Voices. I've applied to more than 300 jobs since December 2024, and I've had 5 interviews (made it to the final round for 3 of them) but each one went with another candidate.
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<div>Despite the reassurances that "it's not [me], it's the job market,” this has been brutal. I’m at the end of my resources. My unemployment benefits and severance package have been exhausted. I’ve already taken early withdrawals from my 401K to keep bills paid.
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<div>I'm not proud about setting this up. I wish I didn't have to. I'd much rather be signing an employment contract than pleading my case, but that's not my current reality. I'm setting this up because my resources will only last another month or two at best. At any given moment, I’m living precariously close to not being able to pay bills. I’m asking for help BEFORE the last of my resources are gone in hopes that I can keep going with less panic and without the fear of losing everything.
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<div>While I continue looking for full-time employment (on W-2 with benefits), I’m working on upskilling and pursuing certifications, leaning on my creative skills as a side-hustle, and managing a couple of 1099 independent contracts (no health benefits, no taxes withheld).
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<div>I need about $6000 per month to keep all of my bills paid: rent and utilities (including phone and Internet service), insurance (and the medications that allow me to function), and other necessary bills (like food and transportation).
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<div>I don't want to lose my home. I don't want to lose my cats, who are the feline equivalent of Pinky and the Brain but nonetheless very good potats. These are my precious sons, Cole (left) and Zeus:
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</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93201333_1765578550838942_r." width="100%" />
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<div>If you're able to chip in, it means the world. If you have a job lead for a technical writing or editing position, I'd love to hear about it! I have the kind of skills and experience that Ai can’t replicate. Even the best Ai-powered helpdesk systems can’t function without high-quality documentation developed and maintained by actual humans, and that’s where I come in.
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<div>I would much rather be working full-time than asking strangers for help, but the current reality is what it is.
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<div>If you want to know that I'm a real person and get an idea of my experience, here's some links:
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<ul>
<li>LinkedIn profile: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kytheracontreras/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kytheracontreras/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.linkedin.com/in/kytheracontreras/</a></a>
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<li>Public technical writing portfolio: <a href="https://www.documentation-czar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.documentation-czar.com/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.documentation-czar.com/</a></a>
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<li>Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/kythera" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://www.patreon.com/kythera" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.patreon.com/kythera</a></a>
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<li>Ko-fi (with shop): <a href="https://ko-fi.com/kythera" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://ko-fi.com/kythera" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://ko-fi.com/kythera</a></a>
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<div><strong>CURRENT STATUS (8/20/2026)</strong>
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<ul>
<li>Funds raised with GoFundMe from December 2025-August 2026: <strong>$10,955</strong>
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<li>Short-term incremental goal: <strong>$12,000</strong>
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<li>Long-term goal: <strong>$13,000 (updated in July)</strong>
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<li>With contributions outside GFM
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<li>My first paycheck is due <strong>September 11, 2026</strong>. I need to make it to then!
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<div><strong>Job search metrics (as of 8/20/2026):</strong>
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93201333_1787252750266206_r.png" width="100%" />
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<div>Metrics from July:
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/93201333_1785175546844997_r.png" width="100%" />

Anonymous

Shaun Donagher

Erika Strickland

Tabitha Worthington

Karen Allen

Anna Fuchs

Megan Leslie

Valerie Quintana

Ryan Graff

Help Kythera keep her home (and cats)

Just $633$ to go! Make an impact.

Help Kythera keep her home (and cats)

Just $633 to go!
Make an impact.