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The combination of the hostility being shown the STC, and the heated
arguments about certification make me wonder: are we each just trying to
simply validate that the specific thing we do makes us an "official" (or
"professional") tech writer?
How the hell can we come up with certifications when we do such different
stuff? We've got writers documenting computer games, back-office
e-commerce engines, medical technology, network security, physical
assembly of products, heavy machinery, etc. We've got people writing
marcomm and sales proposals, while others develop online help, while still
others create waterproof laminated iconic instruction sheets. Should the
writer creating a manual for a lawn tractor be expected to understand
client-side javascript? Should the writer documenting an API know how to
create exploded assembly diagrams? Why should I learn C++ if I'm doc'ing
an app written in Java, or if I'm diagramming how to assemble your new
bookshelf?
Our profession (or occupation, or day gig, or whatever you want to call
it) is a hodge-podge. To me that's one of the cool things about it - the
opportunities inherent in it are open-ended, an aspect I really enjoy. But
we do have some specialists on this list: for example, Andrew seems to
focus on network security. But do I need to meet his qualifications for
SME knowledge in order to write sales proposals for telecom software? I
understand that I need that knowledge for *him* to hire me, but do I need
it to even be considered a tech writer?
I think some of us are A) a little too concerned with creating an
archetype of a tech writer that happens to coincide with our own
individual skillset, and B) expecting too much from the STC.
Why should the STC be responsible for certification? If I want proof that
you know Micosoft, I want to see your MCSE certification, not something
from the STC. Likewise for Java, IIEE, etc. To my knowledge, most
technical specialties have their own certification criteria, so why look
to the STC to reinvent the wheel?
The STC is not a perfect organization. I don't know any organization that
is. But so far the biggest viable complaint I've seen is the fact that
they charge presenters attendance fees for their conferences, which I
agree is stupid. Other than that, I think they do what they can to appeal
to an impossibly diverse group of writers. And that is a key point: the
ONLY thing unifying the members (or potential members) of the STC is that
they are WRITERS. Beyond that, the specialties/interests of its members
are incredibly diverse, as are the technologies and tools those writers
employ.
The STC is not responsible for tech writers not being taken seriously.
We're managing to do that all by ourselves. <g> And because there are so few
boundaries to this profession, the idea of a blanket certification that
makes one an "official certified tech writer" is patently unrealistic and
unfeasible.
Me, I get official proof that I'm a tech writer every two weeks, in the
form of a paycheck. That works for me.
Keith Cronin
I'm not a tech writer, but I play one on TV.
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