Career change to tech writing

[Robert Landry]

To Bob's point, I sorta found my way into tech writing and wasn't quite
sure I would be good at it. 13 years later, people are still hiring me!

I learned more about writing from editors and peer editing than I did
with any course. Not to say many courses aren't great, but there are
many ways to learn. I've read material written by people with
certifications out the yingyang that has been absolutely horrible.

To supplement any courses you might eventually take, I would also find
an experienced writer or editor through STC and have them perform an
edit on samples of your material. Most editors thrive on helping others
become better writers and explaining why they make the
corrections/suggestions that they do.

My experience for what it's worth. 

As a really strange aside...During a graduate course in the history of
human rights, we were given access to the "procedure manual" for death
by lethal injection. I think that is ONE manual where you WOULD NOT want
access to the "application." ;)

Robert J. Landry
Senior Technical Writer
Rapt Inc.
phone: 415-932-2687
email:  robert.landry at rapt.com

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+robert.landry=rapt.com at lists.techwr-l.com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+robert.landry=rapt.com at lists.techwr-l.com] On
Behalf Of strickla at airmail.net
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2006 11:52 AM
To: Adrienne Kelley
Cc: techwr-l at lists.techwr-l.com
Subject: Re: Career change to tech writing

Adrienne,

Technical writing is a good profession that you do not need a
certification or degree in technical writing to enter. Although being
run
through some procedures may be helpful, I believe that you can waste a
lot
of time and money taking courses when you could be pounding the
pavement,
looking for clients or agencies. I have never been asked if I have a
certificate in technical writing -- all most clients are interested in
is
what my experience has been.

Bob Strickland

> Browsing through the recent archives, I can see that it's been *at
least*
> a
> week since a newbie has appeared asking for help, so...consider me
this
> week's offering. :)
>
> My background: I have 75% of a BA in journalism, a full BA in
sociology,
> as
> well as more than 10 years' work experience in a variety of
administrative
> functions, including proofreading for a couple of small local papers
way
> back when.  Currently I work for a small insurance trust, where I do
the
> occasional "technical" writing, including explanatory documentation
for
> our
> customers, our plan documents, and a company procedure manual.  It's
been
> a
> long road for me to discover technical writing as a doable career
choice
> for
> a quasi-geek; until recently I did not have the proper focus, but now
that
> I
> do I'm dedicated to going for this with guns a-blazin'.
>
> Based on the research I've done so far, it seems to me that the best
place
> to start would be with some "re-education": namely, a certificate
program
> in
> technical writing and editing.  While I feel confident that I can
parlay
> my
> experience and skills into transferable assets, I understand (having
> worked
> for a time in HR) the importance of appropriate credentials.  My
question
> to
> you all is, am I close to the mark on this?  I'm looking into my local
STC
> chapter, as well as open-source and shareware work, but I really
believe
> that an educational program is important, especially for someone
changing
> careers.
>
> This is a great website and list, by the way - thanks to all who
> contribute
> to it, and I look forward to communcating with you in the near future
as a
> peer. :)
>
> - Adrienne Kelley
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