RE: Breaking into the tech writing job market

["Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: 
> techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com 
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l
> .com] On Behalf Of Vincent Marianiello
> Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 3:57 PM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Breaking into the tech writing job market
> 
> Greetings all,
> 
>  
> 
> I'm new to the list and have a question (somewhat related to 
> a previous
> discussion about certification)  for all you tech writing veterans:
> 
>  
> 
> How does one get that first tech writing job without the experience?
> 
>  

Usually through an internship.


> 
> I have a Masters in English, but apparently that doesn't mean much to
> potential employers. 

Did you study technical writing in your master's program, Vincent?

It seems that there's no such thing as 
> an entry level
> tech writing job (all the job listings I've seen demand 5+ years of
> experience) so how in the world would someone, fresh out of 
> college, embark
> on a tech writing career?
> 

Internships are frequently equivalent to entry-level jobs.

> 
> I'm sure this may appear as a rather dumb question but, being 
> new to the
> scene, I haven't a clue. 

Didn't your school offer assistance to you?

The headhunters I've talked to make 
> it sound like
> one needs a science degree to be a technical writer; 

They are mistaken.

firms 
> want engineers
> who write, not writers who write about engineering. I've read in other
> places that a good way is to do pro bono work for 
> non-profits. Any other
> advice, suggestions, ideas?
> 

What skills do you have that would make you suitable to work as a technical
writer?


Bonnie Granat
http://www.GranatEdit.com



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help 
format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content 
delivery. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

Easily create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to any popular Help file format or printed documentation. Learn more at http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- infoinfocus -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40infoinfocus.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.