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RE: Fear of certification (was:Definition of Engineer )(was: What to do?)
Subject:RE: Fear of certification (was:Definition of Engineer )(was: What to do?) From:kcronin -at- daleen -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 31 Oct 2003 12:26:33 -0700
Connie's post seems to veer in two directions: in favor of certification,
but opposed to licensing, with the notion that the two are completely
different concepts.
But my concern is that others may view the line between certification and
licensing as a foggy one. Connie's fears about licensing are the same as
my fears about certification: the notion that good tech writers could get
passed over if they lack these credentials.
For most companies, the front line of the hiring process is the HR
recruiter, who may or may not have a good idea what a tech writer does. If
you get a single minded HR drone who arbitrarily decides to use
certification as a yes/no switch in the screening process, uncertified
writers are screwed.
And don't think that wouldn't happen. Those of us who've been in the game
for a while know that screening is an arbitrary process. You could get
overlooked because you didn't list RoboHelp on your resume, or because you
didn't list certification, or any other arbitrarily chosen dealbreaker.
In other words, in the wrong hands, certification could be given the same
importance as actual licensing. And let's be frank - how many HR screeners
REALLY understand what we do?
But an even bigger objection is this: life is short. I've got better
things to do with my time than undergo further training and testing to
prove I am what I already *know* I am. I'm already a tech writer. I know
it, and my paycheck keeps proving it.
Keith Cronin
No matter how much corn Jimmy may crack, I remain apathetic.
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