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I would treat a part-time, volunteer, student helper (i.e. high school
student) for the summer, as a technical writing intern - and no less.
This should be viewed as more than just summer help, this person might take
to technical writing and show a real talent; maybe even change their future
career plans.
We all have to do mundane chores (formatting, maintenance, etc.). I would
try to engage the "intern" with as much verity as possible. Show them how to
put together a simple doc plan. Give them some editing. Have them work a few
days on updating (or starting) a corporate style guide. Give them a small
maintenance project. Have them do some original writing. Allow them to sit
in on engineering or core team meetings so they get a feel for the job.
My buck-three-eighty.
Regards,
Barry Kieffer
Sr. Technical Writer
ADC Telecommunications
Portland, OR
503.350.6072
barry_kieffer -at- adc -dot- com
-----Original Message-----
From: Charter, Tara M. [mailto:Charter -dot- Tara -at- mayo -dot- edu]
Subject: On Summer Help
Tara Charter writes:
If you were granted a part-time, volunteer, student helper (i.e. high school
student) for the summer, what tasks would you allow them to work on?
Just mundane chores, or would you let them edit a few sentences here and
there?
