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It seems that a lot of tech writers came to the profession after having a
career as a teacher. What characteristics of tech writing made that
profession more appealing than teaching?
I used to be a teacher and so many of my friends wonder - especially during
the summer months - why I left it to do tech writing. For me, it was an easy
decision. I have elementary age children and tech writing allows me more
flexibility. Even though I have to work on days when they have vacation -
like today - I can still take off to see a school play, or help out with a
class field trip. I never could do that as a teacher because that's a job
where you have to be in the classroom when you had students - there was no
flexibility in hours. Teaching was a very emotionally draining job as well.
I would get so involved in my students that I felt emotionally drained when
it came time to be with my own children. I find it much easier to leave my
tech writing job at the office (even my home office). But the biggest pull
for me was that I love playing with new technology and I love writing for
publication. Tech writing sure meets that need better than teaching. But on
a day like today when my kids are sleeping in and I am sitting here at the
office, I wonder.....
LuAnne Holder
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