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Subject:Re: When to start? From:Andrew Plato <gilliankitty -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Sun, 9 Feb 2003 10:50:44 -0800 (PST)
<ancelschoberg -at- aol -dot- com> wrote in message news:186304 -at- techwr-l -dot- -dot- -dot-
>
> What skills are necessary for getting started in technical writing? What are
the core things one needs to learn in order to get a job? Also, after one
learns such core things, what would be a good field of study to increase
marketability? Finally, how is the job market out there? Do technical writers
easily find work?
To be a good technical writer you need a technical background or at least good
training in science concepts. Your best bet, if you don't already possess such
skills, is to learn about technology. You would probably want to focus on areas
that are in higher demand (usually information technologies) or in high demand
in your area. The best thing this kind of background teaches is how to
rationally analyze a concept.
Then you'll need some basic skills with the tools of the trade. This is easy to
acquire. Get some demo copies or buy some off Ebay.
Then you need a job. A mentor might be a good idea as well. But get a
technically minded mentor, not some font-fondling "I mentor so I can feel
superior" type.
Andrew Plato
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