[TCP] certification (was: ranting STC)

[John Posada]

> Maybe I'm naive, but I've been able to get contract work at dozens
> of companies over the past 23 years by showing my samples,
> answering questions intelligently, and producing strongly positive
> recommendations from recent employers.

Admitted. You aren't the type of technical writer who would benefit
from certification as I see it. If you've had contracts at dozens of
companies, your type of work was defined when you walked in (i.e.,
"Document the company database" or "Create a User/Config/Instalation
document set for Product A".

I see certification for those who are either department managers,
want to be department managers, or sole writers who come in with the
mission to "Document the IT infrastructure of the ecommerce system"

When you come into a gig, the skill set needed is pretty much known.
Certification would be of most benefit in situations where nobody
knows the scope but you have to handle whatever comes along. 

> 
> I don't even think it
> would actually enable very talented TWs who have either no degree
> or an AA degree, but who can produce effective, useful
> documentation, to compete in the global marketplace with TWs 
> with advanced degrees, but who cannot produce cohesive, 
> effective work.

I don't understand this sentence

John Posada
Senior Technical Writer

"I think the problem, to be quite honest with you, is that you've never actually known what the question is."