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--- Sandra -dot- Downs -at- cbs -dot- fiserv -dot- com wrote:
> Well, I'm one of those fish swimming against the mythical stream: I
> spent 13 years working up the ladder from programmer to p/a to
> systems analyst before deciding I was sick of the whole programming
> gig and preferred the parts of my job that involved spec writing and
> writing manuals. And yes, I do still get the "why wouldn't you WANT
> to be a programmer?" question, as though some magical essence belongs
> to the programming community. But having the techie background adds
> value...just ask my fellow writers who are happy to have someone
> willing to take over the care and feeding of Technical Reference
> Guides. :)
You know, I think for many people it's about the money. Here in Central
Ohio, software developers are paid better--in many cases much
better--than technical communicators. From everything I see, the same
salary disparity exists elsewhere in the U.S., and probably in the
world as well. I know I would be making a lot more money if I was still
in software development.
But I also know I wouldn't be as happy or as productive. Some amount of
happiness comes from doing what you do well. (Some does come from
having 'enough' money, whatever that is for individuals.) I don't see
it as swimming against the tide so much as finding my niche in life and
doing work that I enjoy.
Of course, *I* would recommend that approach to everyone. :-D
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