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Subject:Re: Educational areas to pursue From:Paul DuBois <paul -at- kitebird -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 25 Feb 2003 10:35:35 -0600
> If you read Beth's original post, she says: "Who wants to go from being an
> accomplished techwriter to being a newbie programmer? Not me."
>
> I interpreted that line as a clear rejection of an employer's requests. And
> that to me is bad advice.
>
> In fact, being a newbie programmer would make a writer MORE accomplished.
But that is going from accomplished techwriter to accomplished techwriter
who also knows some programming. That's different than going from
accomplished techwriter to programmer.
> Having strong programming skills would not hinder a writer in any way. It would
> make a writer MORE capable at writing about software and programming.
Sure. If you remain a writer. If you're being asked to shift from
writer to programmer, that's quite a different thing.
> It would however be hard and I realize this would take many writers away from
> there beloved tasks of fondling fonts, twisting templates, and masticating
> methodologies.
Um, that's an unnecessary and irrelevant shot. It detracts from your
argument by making it look as though it needs to be bolstered through
the addition of ridicule.
> Furthermore, being paid overtime to attend employer-paid education is absurd.
> They're already paying for the education. You get to enjoy the skills long
> after you left. Why should they pay overtime for those classes?
Are these classes on company time, or on my time? If they're on my time,
is it unreasonable to expect to be paid for that time?
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