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Subject:Re: Temping: An alternative to agencies? From:Stephen Victor <svictor -at- HOUSTON -dot- GEOQUEST -dot- SLB -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 23 May 1997 12:36:44 -0500
geoff-h -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA wrote:
>
> Why not list yourself with local "temporary office help"
> agencies such as Kelly? I suspect that lots of small
> businesses don't know the first thing about techwhirling
> agencies, and immediately think "secretarial" when they
> think about writing. (I've even met people who didn't know
> that some yellow pages have separate writing and editing
> sections.) If you leave your resume with the temp. agency,
> you might get the occasional bite-size job to tide you over
> between major contracts. Hope this helps someone!
I don't mean this as a flame, but I don't see how this could help a
technical writer's career. Is there a reason a writer should temp as a
secretary between contracts, rather than, say, as a construction worker?
A nurse? A pilot?
I don't want to put down secretaries. There's nothing wrong with being a
secretary. But I am not a secretary. Every tech writer should have a
t-shirt that says that. I'm serious. Fighting the "tech writer is
glorified typist" battle is difficult enough without having tech writers
reinforce the idea by advertising themselves as secretaries.
Steve
--
Stephen P. Victor Phone: (713) 513-2552
Technical Writer, Software Training Fax: (713) 513-2019
Schlumberger GeoQuest svictor -at- houston -dot- geoquest -dot- slb -dot- com
5599 San Felipe, Suite 1700
Houston, Texas 77056 USA
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