Re: Ethics of Jumping To Another Contract Job

Subject: Re: Ethics of Jumping To Another Contract Job
From: Karen <ekarenski-techwrl -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:39:20 -0700 (PDT)

More power to you, Mike!

I have a master's in biomechanics (and one in technical communications) so picking up new concepts is relatively simple for me. However, I was starting with less than 20 pages of "documentation". It has been a learning process for all of us.

The learning is the best part of the job. I wish I could do contract jobs for 6 months at a time; however, medical conditions necessitate great health insurance benefits. Hopping from contract job to contract job sounds great in the sense that you can be a perpetual student in the process. I loved taking courses in just about any subject out there and could have done it forever--if I could have been paid for it. ;)


Mike Starr <mike -at- writestarr -dot- com> wrote:
I won't say I walked in the door and instantly understood the technology...
but I've always been immediately productive by understanding the
requirements of documentation and beginning the documentation process,
absorbing the technology along the way. I've worked in a number of highly
complex environments... laser trim systems, industrial automation (PLC)
software for ladder logic programming and communication, asphalt and feed
mill plant operation, nuclear imaging systems, etc.

I just started an assignment three weeks ago and I've already adapted two
existing manuals to a re-engineered software environment and I'm about 60%
done with a new manual for an under-the-hood application that does the
configuration for an incredibly complex national package sortation system. I
got authorized to use the SourceForge system today, a tool I've never even
seen before and I logged in and submitted three issues. It helps that I have
an associate degree in electromechanical technology that taught me about
hydraulics, pneumatics, electronics, computers and programmable controllers.

So, software for petroleum engineering?? Sure, I'll give it a shot. Can't be
much more difficult than the other stuff. At this stage, I'm fearless
.

Mike
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References:
Re: Ethics of Jumping To Another Contract Job: From: Mike Starr

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