Re: landing the first job

Subject: Re: landing the first job
From: TechComm Dood <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2004 10:07:11 -0500


I'm not sure if we can advise you all that well. This is *your* choice
of profession; we can't tell you what to start in.

I started as a typesetter only because I graduated with no job lined
up and a fraternity brother of mine was working in a translation shop
(which he now owns) and needed an extra body to help typeset a
translated power plant operations manual. I learned how to use Word
efficiently (man I miss those old-school macros) on the job, as well
as Excel, PowerPoint, Quark Xpress, Photoshop, and many other software
apps.

When I applied for my first job after that one, I sent resumes to just
about every kind of company I could think of, because I didn't quite
know what I wanted to do yet. No, I wasn't technical by any means, but
I do enjoy a challenge. ;-) So I must have sent out over 400 resumes,
locally and nationally, until I learned how to write an effective
cover letter (gee, that would have helped sooner). I then replied to a
posting for a senior tech writer and won them over... I was hired on
as an entry level help author. And the rest, well, is history. ;-)

So I don't think we can point you in a good direction. You need to
figure out what you want to do, and sometimes it's best to put the
sniper rifle down and go with buckshot for your first gig. Shoot with
a wide spray and see what you hit, then see if you like it.

Hope this helps. Good luck!


On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 05:58:59 -0800 (PST), Lisa Spencer
<felix_spence -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
>
> I am a senior at Iowa State University majoring in
> rhetoric and professional communication with a minor
> in technical communication. It is now time for me to
> begin applying for jobs and I really don't know where
> to begin. I started off looking into the techical
> writing area, but my main focus is writing, as my
> technical skills are not that great. I do have
> knowledge and skill in producing, designing and
> editing business documents, such as manuals, guides,
> brochures and newsletters, but it seems as if a
> technical writers job is much more than that. I'm
> wondering if anyone can help direct me in an area to
> begin my career. Should I look at copyediting jobs, or
> should I continue my search in technical writing? Or
> is there a different area that would suit me? I open
> for suggestions and would appreciate any help.

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References:
landing the first job: From: Lisa Spencer

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