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Subject:Re: How to I get into this field? From:"Janet Swisher" <jmswisher -at- gmail -dot- com> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:54:52 -0500
On Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 6:10 AM, Michael West <mbwest -at- bigpond -dot- com> wrote:
>> I have a BA in English and would like to get into technical writing but
> need to know
>> what steps I should take.? What is required?
>
> The entry-level position is usually the hardest one to get. Don't expect it
> to just fall into your lap. Do some technical writing projects on your own
> to show a prospective employer that you have the interest, the skills, and a
> mastery of the tools. The subject matter isn't terribly important; your
> attention to detail and your ability to clarify the complex are what matter.
One way to "do some technical writing projects on your own" is to get
involved in documenting open source software. Pick an open source
product that you use or find interesting, and create or improve the
documentation for it. I've written more about this topic here: http://www.janetswisher.com/?itemid=166
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