RE: How we introduce our profession to others . . .

["Ehr, Meg" <Meg -dot- Ehr -at- smartworks -dot- com>]

Here's the exchange I had with my old micro-manager after I requested
reimbursement for my tech writing classes (I had given him the course
descriptions and info about the overall TW certificate program):

PHB: This looks more like a journalism thing, like you could write product
reviews for PC World or something like that. 
Me: Actually, it's more like manuals and user guides. 
PHB: Oh, well, if that's what you want to do, this might not be the best
company for you.
Me: Um, this company has tech writers.
PHB: Where? Out in the plants?
Me: No, in the building across the street.
PHB: Well, I still think you'd probably be better off looking somewhere
else.


Sure, boss -- after all, what use would a large multinational
hardware/software/services company have for technical writers? I'm still
amazed I didn't walk out that day. 

Oddly, he -- a manager in an IT company -- is the only person I know who
couldn't understand what tech writers do.


Meg Ehr


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

*** Deva(tm) Tools for Dreamweaver and Deva(tm) Search ***
Build Contents, Indexes, and Search for Web Sites and Help Systems
Available now at http://www.devahelp.com or info -at- devahelp -dot- com

Sponsored by Cub Lea, specialist in low-cost outsourced development
and documentation. Overload and time-sensitive jobs at exceptional
rates. Unique free gifts for all visitors to http://www.cublea.com

---
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.