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No offense, but whoever gave you that assignment hasn't been paying
attention. The changes are huge.
On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 14:15:31 -0500, Tricia Little <tlittle08 -at- hotmail -dot- com> wrote:
>
> I'm a junior at Mankato State University, Mankato. I have to write an
> article for one of my technical communications classes dealing with the
> changes in the workplace of technical communicators from when the job was new
> (10-20 years ago) until now. If anyone could fill out this simple survey and
> email it back to me, it would be great appreciated. Thank you.
>
> 1. How long have you been a technical communicator?
15 years
> 2. Have you noticed changes in software programs that you use? Explain
> briefly.
Uuuum, we are now using software. Previously, we didn't. 20 years ago,
widespread use of computers was in its infancy. In fact, in many
places, technical writers would hand copy to typist
> 3. Have you noticed a change in salary? Explain briefly.
Yes, it went up in the 90s particularly in software and then, for the
past 3-1/2 years, cost of living has increased faster than salaries
and employment has been harder to get, particularly for contractors.
> 4. Do the tasks that you complete now vary from what you did when you began
> working in this field? Explain briefly.
Yes. We use software. We have online documentation now. We do much
less with print; in fact, tech writers today don't need to understand
fonts, colour, press, etc.
> 5. How many times have you changed jobs or relocated?
Every three years like clockwork. Never relocated but almost did
twice, once almost 400 miles, once almost off-continent.
>
> Thank you for your time.
> Tricia
> tlittle08 -at- hotmail -dot- com
>
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