Re: A Good Problem, but a Problem Nonetheless...

["Kathleen MacDowell" <kathleen -at- writefortheuser -dot- com>]

Just to clarify what your situation is,

are you feeling like you're being used as a highly paid (I hope) admin or a
layout artist?

If so, I think I'd be concerned, just in terms of what I would be able to
show during my time there. It sounds like a well-run company, lucky you, but
even then, one can never predict when it will be necessary or preferable to
start looking, so I definitely agree with what I take to be your misgivings.

On the other hand, it's possible that you can take your connection with the
director to the next level. For example, moving toward a semi-management
role by suggesting that they bring on a contractor (perhaps well-versed in
the areas she asks you to do) to take care of such things. You could act as
a go-between.

Just an idea, though it doesn't sound like you're looking for that role. But
considering that you're aware of a wide range of needs, it's very possible
that you're acting that way, in some sense.

Regards,

Kathleen


On 4/22/07, TECHWR-L Administrator <admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com> wrote:
>
> Forwarded anonymously on request. TECHWR-L Admin.
> &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
>
>
> I could really use the input of the TECHWR-L community here.
>
> After seven years as a contractor, I took a full time job four years ago
> as a lone tech writer (at a 600 person company who never had a tech
> writer before). It has been a great run - I have a reasoonable workload,
> a grea deal of latitude about how I approach my job, and respect at all
> levels of the company. So what's the problem?
>
> In addition to my TW background, I also have a diversified business
> background. I would like to focus on the technical end - document
> software, run SQL queries, write release notes, etc. My director is
> trying (and has been all along) to direct me to the business end, and I
> wind up doing a lot of business document "font fondling" on things like
> business continuity plans, operating budgets, Org charts, etc.
>
> My concern is as follows:
>
> * I want to focus on the technical end, and am concerned I'm losing
> skills and knowledge
> * I suspect she may be trying to keep me in her own area for her own
> needs (I really feel that it's a waste of my company's time and money to
> have me prettying up operating plans, when there is a great deal of
> technical writing needed by other areas.)
>
> Here are my questions:
> * Is my situation typical? Are any of you in a similar one?
> * Are my concerns about losing my skills justified?
> * Should I raise a flag about being a wasted resource?
> * A I out of line to say that I want to focus on technical matters, and
> that I feel it's not the best use of my time and their resources to have
> me where I am?
>
> -Long Time Techwrler
>
> --
> Kathleen MacDowell
> www.writefortheuser.com
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