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Subject:Re: Certification -- what's in it for writers From:Steven Jong <stevefjong -at- comcast -dot- net> To:"Porrello, Leonard" <lporrello -at- illumina -dot- com> Date:Tue, 1 Nov 2011 18:03:25 -0400
Robert has the choice of applying for certification or not, as we all have now. (Well, not me, because I've seen the answers.)
I would argue that he does not have the choice of denying others the right to apply by trying to shut down the whole program.
However, if you grant him that right, then you must also grant me the right to choose to fight to keep it open 8^)
-- Steve
Sent from my iPad
On Oct 31, 2011, at 12:25 PM, "Porrello, Leonard" <lporrello -at- illumina -dot- com> wrote:
> I was with you (Steve Jong) until, "But you can't impose your choice on others." I don't think that is what Robert is trying to do or would propose. In response to your last comment, I would add, in the Darwinian marketplace you can't prevent tech writers from trying to take down a certification scheme that they perceive to be against their best interests.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Steven Jong
> Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2011 9:20 AM
> To: robert -at- lauriston -dot- com; TECHWR-L Digest
> Cc: Steven Jong
> Subject: Re: Certification -- what's in it for writers
>
> Robert Lauriston wrote:
>
>> Certification would be a substantial expense with zero benefit to any
>> individual tech writer except in the zero-sum game of beating out
>> another tech writer for a job.
>
> Your premise is false; certification is not a "zero-sum game." I have previously given the general economic factors that make employers compete for and remunerate certified professionals (because they cost less and reduce risk).
>
> It would be ideal if there was a job for everyone and everyone had an ideal job and no one ever got turned down for a job they wanted. But in reality, the job market is Darwinian. Let's assume for the sake of argument that certification IS a zero-sum game, and that by obtaining a certification you are making yourself more likely to get a job at the expense of someone else. It's your choice how to compete for a job. You can get additional training, polish your rÃsumÃ, build a portfolio, practice interviewing skills, or get certified. You are also free to choose not to compete. But you can't impose your choice on others.
>
> -- Steve
>
>
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