A Quick Look at a Reluctant Presenter

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I first met Christie Buresh (nee Reed) at SOLIDWORKS World 1999 in Palm Springs, and we’ve been colleagues (and friends) for more than 18 years now.  She’s been leading the North Texas SOLIDWORKS User Group for 11 of those years, but prior to that, she was an instrumental part of a little thing we used to call the All-Texas SOLIDWORKS User Conference.

Her group members and I often make fun of her meeting announcements – she leaves 15 minutes for her opening remarks, but never speaks for more than 5 or so.  You see, Christie is kind of shy.

But last night in Dallas, Christie gave a technical presentation.

It wasn’t her first one ever, but they are few and far between.  It’s not that she doesn’t know her stuff – she’s been using SOLIDWORKS for more than 18 years, and has been a CSWP since 2013. She’s also earned her CSWPA-Drawings, CSWPA-Sheet Metal, and CSWPA-Mold Tools certificates on her way to becoming a CSWE. It’s simply the old “fear of public speaking”.

As soon as she got started, I jumped up to take the picture, telling her that I had to document the occasion.  We all had a good chuckle, and then she got started.

The session was short, but very well received.  She talked about (and showed) some of the intricacies required to pass the CSWPA-Drawings exam, and everyone in the room learned something.  That’s exactly what a user group presentation should do.

Christie did say that she’s trying to move out from her comfort zone a little, and I heartily encourage that.  I hope to see more presentations from Christie at meetings, and who knows, maybe we’ll get her in front of a crowd at a SOLIDWORKS World technical session soon.

Richard Doyle

Richard Doyle

My official title is Senior User Advocacy & SolidWorks User Groups - but most people just call me "The User Group Guy". I've been a SolidWorks user since 1997, and was one of the founding members of the SWUGN Committee. Since starting the Central Texas SolidWorks User Group in 1999, my career path has led me to DS SolidWorks and a dream job supporting the SolidWorks User Group Network worldwide.
Richard Doyle

@https://twitter.com/swugn

Richard Doyle