TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Shelly,
Your tech comm BS with an ME minor should give you
a strong background for the kind of job you are looking for.
Be advised that you will probably have to search and negotiate
to find your ideal job; it probably won't show up in the want
ads.
You'll also have to find an employer that really uses the
integrated team approach. My employer hires mechanical
engineers, and they hire writers, but they remain in their
separate departments most of the time.
If you are an effective communicator (persuasive), you could
pioneer the breaking down of walls at a more traditional
company!
Yes, the majority of tech writers write for software, but
tools and machines need good documentation, too.
LaVonna Funkhouser
Halliburton Energy Services
lffunkhouser -at- halnet -dot- com
