Re: job in NY

[Matt Danda <mdanda2 -at- YAHOO -dot- COM>]

Ron Brown Wrote:

<snip>...as I am still a student.  When
I see an ad like this,  it makes me wonder just how far my Technical
Comm degree will take me, since I don't plan on coupling it with an
additional technical degree.  If I attempted something like that, I
might just be able to retire here at school. 8-)

I would like to add:

Aha! I feel strongly about learning science in order to advance a tech
writing career. When I interview for jobs or contracts, I always
stress the technical aspects of my resume. In fact, interviewers seem
to trust the fact that I can write, but are very discerning when it
comes to technical abilities. And not just knowing the tools (ie
Framemaker, RoboHelp), but knowing the software development technology
(ie configuring Windows95, understanding O-O methodologies, reading
C++ code, etc.). I spend much of my free time studying new technical
skills (in my specialty of choice, which is software development)
rather than brushing up on my writing skills. Its a shame, but I am a
slave to the market...and the market wants more technologists.

Oh, you don't necessarily need a technical degree...just the interest
and enthusiasm to learn. (Personally, I think I will eventually end up
in a computer science program in order to solidify my on-the-job
training. After a few years immersed in computer companies, I have
developed a strange need to augment my self-taught skills with some
old-fashioned coursework.) In fact, I would recommend getting out of
school (preferrably with a degree) and working as soon as you can.
Nothing teaches you more about being a technical writer than good ole
OJT. If you need to go back later for some more technical training, so
be it. But first get to work! ;)

Good luck!

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