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.
Yvonne,
Sure that works, usually. There are still a number of subjective variables
at work. You are still out there slugging it out by yourself, hoping the
interviewer knows something about technical writing and knows how to evaluate
all your references, portfolio, etc. It works most of the time for some
people. But you would be missing the one thing that can establish you as a
member of a profession, and that is the indication that you have met the
standards set by your professional peers, some of whom are experts in their
fields, not just by former employers, satisfied customers, or happy support
people, who might not be aware of what those standards are. Certification is
all about having standards and being able to identify those who meet those
standards.
Bill DuBay
Technical Writer
Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
email: bill_dubay -at- phoenix -dot- com
(714)790-2049 FAX: (714)790-2001 http://www.phoenix.com
-------------
Original Text
From: Yvonne DeGraw <yvonne -at- SILCOM -dot- COM>, on 6/16/97 11:22 PM:
Bill DuBay <bill_dubay -at- PHOENIX -dot- COM> wrote:
> I would like to apply for a job with all the armaments possible, my
>portfolio, my resume, my good looks, my powers of persuasion. But especially
>important would be a certificate from my professional peers testifying that
I
>have the skills they consider essential. That would be very satisfying to
me.
Funny. I'd prefer to show a document similar to what the client needs with
supporting raves from the client, users, and customer support. It generally
works for me...
OK, enough sarcasm. Has STC ever studied the idea of accrediting TC
programs? Perhaps that's a reasonable compromise.
Yvonne DeGraw, Technical Services o Technical Writing
yvonne -at- silcom -dot- com o Online Help http://www.silcom.com/~yvonne o Web Documentation
Tel: 805/683-5784 o Database Publishing
Chair, STC Region 8 Conference: http://stc.org/region8/snb/reg8conf
Santa Barbara, CA Call for Presentations deadline is June 30.
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
