TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Take this engineer and shove it From:"Barb Einarsen" <barb -dot- einarsen -at- gnnettest -dot- com> To:"Giordano, Connie" <Connie -dot- Giordano -at- FMR -dot- COM>, "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 30 May 2000 12:24:08 -0400
snip...> I work with some really wonderful developers who produce really
fine work.
> My primary gripe is that I'm at least as good at what I do as they are at
> what they do. I have yet to miss a deadline (in seven years), and the
> clients respond extremely well to my help systems, manuals and training
> materials. Most developers on my team come to me when they're not sure how
> the UI should look or when they're having trouble figuring out a product
> spec. So while the developers respect my work, management types simply
don't
> value tech Comm as much as development. The attitude gets passed to some
of
> the more ambitious developers, and the cycle starts over again. I don't
get
> the paycheck they do, but even more important, I don't get the recognition
> by management-and that is seriously sucky. ... end snip>
I can relate today. Our company decided to hand out stock options to 'key
personnel' only, then they laid off the other techncial writer after 4 years
of service (I've been here a year). I'm the only writer for my 3 product
lines and have been praised and held in the highest esteem- yet I did not
rate stock options. I guess my reward is not being walked to the door. More
than a little depressing.
