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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Win Day [mailto:winday -at- home -dot- com]
> Sent: Monday, November 19, 2001 2:24 PM
> To: TECHWR-L
> Cc: TECHWR-L
> Subject: RE: entering tech writer field
>
>
> At 02:32 PM 19/11/2001 -0600, Tracy Boyington wrote:
> >I have to disagree, John. If the kid likes writing for humans, why
> >should he be pushed into writing for machines?
<snip>
> >If he already knows what he likes, he's good at it, and can
reasonably
> >expect to make a living at it, don't shove him in the direction of
> >something else simply because it's more lucrative.
<snip>
> Also, his interest in the maths and sciences is almost
> nonexistent, and his grades reflect his lack of interest!
>
> I've been steering Greg towards history/anthropology. His
> favourite high school courses have been history (and philosophy!).
> One of the universities to which he has applied has a combined
> history/business major;
Agreed, not everybody is cut out to be an engineer. If he doesn't have
it, engineering school will find out pretty quickly and weed him out, if
he doesn't weed himself out even before the first semester is finished.
Although I went the route of engineering school, I wouldn't recommend
the full course of study on anyone who wasn't really into it. It takes a
lot of dedication and can be very humbling.
What I would recommend are programming courses on the side.
And the advice given earlier was good, regarding considering what the
employment prospects will be upon graduation.
The business school route is good, because it can teach him just enough
programming and techie stuff to make you "interesting" (as a tech writer
or otherwise) to an employer. A business background will give him
something that can put food on his plate.
Other recommendations I have for your son are to take (and stick with)
one or more foreign languages: one course each semester. He's got 4+
years to really master a foreign language. Study abroad would solidify
that. A foreign language doubles the countries where he can be of
service. Native English speakers are in demand even without a techie
background. Moreover, study of other languages improves your
understanding and usage of your native language.
Glenn Maxey
Technical Writer
Voyant Technologies, Inc.
1765 West 121st Avenue
Westminster, CO 80234-2301
Tel. +1 303.223.5164
Fax. +1 303.223.5275
glenn -dot- maxey -at- voyanttech -dot- com
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