A Request for Some Help

Subject: A Request for Some Help
From: James Leary <jameseleary -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Date: Mon, 16 Oct 2000 11:28:03 -0700 (PDT)


Dear List Members,

My name is James Leary, and I am currently an undergraduate
in an English-Writing program at Eastern Kentucky
University. As part of the Honors Program curriculum, I am
conducting research for a thesis to be completed in the
Spring semester. The thesis is designed to uncover the
needs of the technical writing world when it comes to new
employees. Concerns will include education, the types of
technical writers currently in the market, the importance
of portfolio generation, and the future course of technical
writing programs at Eastern Kentucky University.

In order to gather information for my research, what better
place to begin than with those who are technical writers
and those who work with technical writers. I have been
observing the list and reading the posts for several weeks
and the group of professionals that participates on this
list seems like an excellent place to gather data.

Therefore, if those who read this message have the time to
help out a student trying to do research on your field,
please fill out one of the surveys below. One is
designated for those who HIRE and FIRE technical writers.
The other is designated for those who ARE technical
writers. I appreciate your time and consideration. If you
would like more information regarding the thesis project or
the survey please feel free to email: stulearj -at- acs -dot- eku -dot- edu

Please return surveys to: stulearj -at- acs -dot- eku -dot- edu

(Please send survey responses as in-line text. No
attachments, please.)

If you include the optional personal information, none of
the information will be disclosed in the thesis or any
presentation of said work. The information will only be
for contact purposes, such as requesting an interview or
more detailed information.

With thanks,


James Leary



*****You ARE a technical writer*****

Technical Writing Survey for those who ARE technical
writers

Job Title:
Name (Optional):
Contact Phone Number (Optional):
Business/Corporation/Company (Optional):

***

Please evaluate the statements in PART A according to the
following scale:

1 = Always False
2 = Sometimes False
3 = Undecided
4 = Sometimes True
5 = Always True

PART A

You had gained no experience in the field prior to
employment within your
business/corporation/company:

You feel an applicant with a strong portfolio of experience
is more attractive than an applicant
with certification in technical writing from a college,
university, or technical school:

You have gained your technical writing experience within
100 miles of your location:


***

Please evaluate the statements in PART B according to the
following scale:

1 = Never
2 = Sometimes
3 = Always

PART B

You feel that as new technical writer you were not
completely prepared for the position through
your education:

You were hired having no experience in the field:

You feel that colleges, universities, and technical schools
should work with businesses and
corporations to decide the educational curriculum for
future technical writers:


***

Please answer the questions in PART C with short phrases,
lists, or sentences:


PART C

What is the most valuable skill(s) you look for in your
coworkers that are technical writers?



If you were asked to help decide topics for an introductory
technical writing course at a college,
university, or technical school, which key topics would you
suggest?




What is the most common mistake(s) that you feel technical
writers make?



Do you hold a degree in an area other than technical
writing? If yes, what degree do you hold?

Do you hold a degree in technical writing?

Do you hold a degree of higher rank than Bachelor of Arts
or Bachelor of Science? If yes, what degree do you hold?

Do you hold a certificate in technical writing?



***end***


*****You HIRE and FIRE technical writers*****

Technical Writing Survey for those who HIRE and FIRE
technical writers

Job Title:
Name (Optional):
Contact Phone Number (Optional):
Business/Corporation/Company (Optional):

***

Please evaluate the statements in PART A according to the
following scale:

1 = Always False
2 = Sometimes False
3 = Undecided
4 = Sometimes True
5 = Always True

PART A

You hire technical writers who have gained no experience in
the field prior to employment within
your business/corporation/company:

You hire technical writers how have experience in technical
writing:

You feel an applicant with a strong portfolio of experience
is more attractive than an applicant
with certification in technical writing from a college,
university, or technical school:

Most members of your technical writing staff have obtained
their experience within 100 miles of
your location:

Applicants who have earned a certificate in technical
writing from a college, university , or
technical school but have no experience in the field are
more attractive to you as an employer than
applicants with no experience and no certification:

Members of your technical writing staff hold degrees in
areas other than technical writing:

Members of your technical writing staff hold no degree:

Members of your technical writing staff hold a degree of
higher rank than Bachelor of Arts or
Bachelor of Science:


***

Please evaluate the statements in PART B according to the
following scale:

1 = Never
2 = Sometimes

3 = Always

PART B

You feel that new technical writers you employ are not
completely prepared for the position
through their education:

You would hire a technical writer who has gained no
experience in the field:

You feel that colleges, universities, and technical schools
should work with businesses and
corporations to decide the educational curriculum for
future technical writers:


***

Please answer the questions in PART C with short phrases,
lists, or sentences:


PART C

What is the most valuable skill(s) you look for in a
technical writer?



If you were asked to help decide topics for an introductory
technical writing course at a college,
university, or technical school, which key topics would you
suggest?


What is the most common mistake that technical writers in
your employment make?



***end***



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