RE: What qualifies a Senior Technical Writer?

["DeGuzman, Kathi" <Kathi -dot- Deguzman -at- Nextel -dot- com>]

I used to ask myself the same question, but have come to a conclusion that
work, titles, and what they mean in a work environment do not mean the same
thing in every company. 

I have been a "Senior Technical Writer" since I started working as a
technical writer. That was 6 years ago. However, before I started to work as
a writer, I was a "Senior Systems Analyst/Developer/programmer." As  part of
my jobs in which I was considered a systems analyst/developer I had to write
documentation and training materials. I also had to conduct training
classes. Before being a systems analyst/.... I was a "Senior Consultant." In
that capacity I did the same things that I did as a Systems
analyst/developer blah, blah. I had to determine client requirements,
develop a product, deliver the product (with documentation), and train the
users. I did that kind of work for 8 years.

When I got my first job with a documentation type title I did so by showing
that although I was hired and worked as a systems analyst... I wrote a
considerable amount of technical documentation and could therefore perform
to the "Sr. Tech Writer" standards (and they are different from manager to
manager). I had no specific tech writer experience on my resume when I was
offered the interview. According to your standards, 
	"...typically the define an associate as anybody with less than two
years
	experience in tech writing, a tech writer as anybody between two and
five,
	and a senior as anybody with five years experience or three years
with a
	Master's Degree." 
I should not have even been considered for the job. I had no experience
(although I did have an MBA) per se as a tech writer. However, I was not
offered the interview, I got the job on the spot. Why??...because I was
intelligent (excuse the pat on the back), assertive, and showed the manager
that I was capable and willing to do the required work.
Basically what I have been rambling about here is that titles are just
labels we put on employees because it helps determine salary, job
description, and what group they fit into. But it is the capability of the
individual that is being hired. Someone could have 5 years of experience and
still be a terrible writer. And then, someone could have 1 year of
experience and be a superior writer.
I guess my thoughts conclude that people should strive to be the best with
whatever experience they have. If you have been working in a management
capacity but have been called a Sr. Tech writer, it does not mean that you
don't have the experience to do a manager's job. That is how you get
promoted, right? Show the boss that you can do the job and then do it.
Forget about what you are going to be called. In the whole scheme of things,
it doesn't really matter what people call you...as long as you can perform
the job that you are hired to do.

JMHO...

Kathi Jan DeGuzman
Senior Technical Writer
Kathi -dot- Deguzman -at- nextel -dot- com <mailto:Kathi -dot- Deguzman -at- nextel -dot- com> 
 When I hear somebody sigh that "Life is hard," I am always tempted to ask,
"Compared to what?" ~ Sidney J. Harris
<http://www.cybernation.com/victory/quotations/authors/quotes_harris_sidneyj
.html> 





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