Seeking informational interview

[noahjenilyn -at- nc -dot- rr -dot- com]

Dear potential mentors,

I am seeking to have an informational interview with a few technical
writers. I Would find it most helpful in navigating through the career
changing process. Please accept this brief overview as an account of
some of the questions I have about the profession of technical writing.
If anyone would be able to help, it would be sincerely appreciated.

Background:
I am transitioning from my current career to technical writing, but I am
no stranger to technical topics. My career experiences, pharmacist and
geospatial analyst/programmer, has been technical in nature. I do not
have experience 
focusing exclusively on the documentation and communication aspects of
technical topics.

Informational Interview:
I would like an insider's knowledge of being a professional technical
writer. I would like to talk to several members of the profession to get
an inside view, both the good and the bad. What are the challenges? What
are the rewards? How would you describe the work environment?

Portfolio:
I do not have copies or records of short technical documents I have
written in the past. Though I have had opportunities to write short
technical documents, I have not saved any of these documents thus far.
Currently, I am in the process of constructing a technical writing
portfolio from scratch. I would like to talk about the content of a
technical writing portfolio. What types of samples would be of most
value? Which factors are most important in presenting the samples?
(title, purpose, audience, layout, file formats, etc...)

Software:
I have experience with software used in web development and technical
communication. I would like to discuss which software is the most
relevant. Personally, I like to use the basics, such as text editors and
open source graphics tools. If there is a need to know piece of
proprietary software, I could incorporate it into my portfolio if it
would strengthen my marketability. Also, are there are any industry
certifications, which would be immediately beneficial? 

Goal:
It is my intention to get full-time employment as a professional
technical writer. The industries of which I am interested are
healthcare/biotechnology, geospatial technology, software documentation,
or science writing. At present my work schedule would be prohibitive of
freelancing, but I may be able to work a limited amount of time on
volunteer projects for experience.

Thank you,
Noah Bell
noahjenilyn -at- nc -dot- rr -dot- com
919-342-0542
 


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

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

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include single source authoring, team authoring,
Web-based technology, and PDF output. 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 admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.