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.
Re: What is a reasonable training period for newbie writers?
Subject:Re: What is a reasonable training period for newbie writers? From:"Dana Ditomaso" <dana -at- caribousystems -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 10 Nov 2000 16:12:40 -0500
Krista wrote:
> I can't even imagine that a person with zero experience in
> tech writing could go into contracting or into being a lone
> writer in the first place.
I beg to differ on that account. Two and a half years ago I was hired,
straight out of university, to set up the support department of this startup
software company. I included technical writing in that department's
responsibilities, and now I am the lone technical writer. I have a degree
in Geography, and the only training I took was reading a lot of books and
the technical writing of others to get a feel for how it should be done.
Perhaps my documents aren't as "professional" as people with a formal tech
writing education or years of experience, but I know for a fact that the
clients use them, as I also answer the support line infrequently.
Right now, I'm in the process of looking for a new job, and I've encountered
the phrase "you don't _really_ have any experience" many times so far. I
can't even tell you how discouraging that is, to be told that your two and a
half years of learning and hard work doesn't really mean anything, because
you're not a "real" technical writer.
Please think again before making sweeping judgments.
Regards,
Dana
______________________________________________
Dana Ditomaso (dana -at- caribousystems -dot- com)
Manager, Support Services, Caribou Systems
voice (416) 366-1613 x4963 fax (416) 366-3592 http://www.caribousystems.com
______________________________________________
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Develop HTML-based Help with Macromedia Dreamweaver! (STC Discount.)
**NEW DATE/LOCATION!** January 16-17, 2001, New York, NY. http://www.weisner.com/training/dreamweaver_help.htm or 800-646-9989.
Sponsored by SOLUTIONS, Conferences and Seminars for Communicators
Publications Management Clinic, TECH*COMM 2001 Conference, and more http://www.SolutionsEvents.com or 800-448-4230
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
