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.
> I'm wondering if there are other writers on this list for whom tech
> writing is only a small portion of their jobs? I'd like to subscribe to
> a trainers list, but haven't found anything worth considering yet. Does
> anyone have any suggestions about where to find something like this?
> How do you "jacks-of-all-trades" keep yourselves valuable in your
> situations? All input is appreciated.
I am in our "Software Support Group". I spend a lot of time alpha
testing all software (and often hardware) that comes from
engineering. I write the help files for this software/hardware and
sometimes the manuals (if no one else is available to do it).
Occasionally, I write marketing material, and I typically always
provide input on the material (e.g., proof/edit) that marketing
produces. I provide customer support when calls come in to our
other "Application Engineers" on software that can't be answered by
them, and general support if our phones are overloaded. And... I
teach a training class about every three months.
I LOVE the diversity -- I am never bored and I don't think I'll ever
reach a point where I don't have anything to do. I have been at this
job for 4.5 years. I have learned a tremendous amount, and I learn
more every day.
I suppose the best way to be "valuable" is to do all things and do
them well :) Part of this is skill, part of this is work habit, and part is
attitude. I see people who post to this list that seem like timid little
mice who are scared to move for fear of being squashed. These
people will never make it in a role where you have to "do all/be all".
So... just jump in with both feet and do it!
Dana W.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
PC Magazine gives RoboHelp Office 2002 five stars - a perfect score!
"The ultimate developer's tool for designing help systems. A product
no professional help designer should be without." Check out RoboHelp at http://www.ehelp.com/techwr
---
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.
