Re: Do we like our jobs?

["Chas. Bosdet" <WLFTRIX -at- AOL -dot- COM>]

Subj:   Do we like our jobs?
Date:   95-03-16 18:49:06 EST
From:   ellena -at- TOLSTOY -dot- SC -dot- TI -dot- COM

ellena -at- tolstoy -dot- sc -dot- ti -dot- com writes:
<...>
> I derive tremendous satisfaction from the effective communication
> of ideas.  I get great satisfaction from providing a service that is
> both necessary and highly valued. And it's great, when the books,
> or manuals, or guides come out, to be able to pick them up, and
> say, "Hey, I wrote that."
<...>

Couldn't have said it better myself <g>

I've been an independent writing/editing/DTP contractor since January '93,
after 5 or 6 years as a technical writer, editor, and publications manager at
a Fortune 100 company. Before that I spent 12 mostly happy years as a news
editor.  Journalism is great, but I particularly like several things about
the technical arena.  The "stories" I work on in the technical field --
reports, manuals,
proposals, and so on --

--  Are highly educational. I'm a happy camper as long as
    I'm learning something new.

--  Usually deal with tangible products -- things people can *use*
    in their daily lives.  And sometimes, lives depend on those
    products and accompanying documentation.

--  Usually have a reasonably long shelf life -- unlike spot news, which
    often becomes "old" hours after it's published.

--  Give me an opportunity to help put *bunches* of people to work.
    When I'm working on a new-business proposal, I know I have a
    chance to help XYZ Company win a contract that'll put tens,
    hundreds, or thousands people to work, or save existing jobs, or
    both.  I like to think part of my business is keeping people
    employed.  I find a lot of satisfaction in that.

Anyhow, those are a few of the reasons I like *my* job.

Chas. Bosdet
Lexicorps (tm)
Buena Park, California