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Re: Hostility towards STC

Subject: Re: Hostility towards STC
From: Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2003 18:49:22 -0700


Bill Swallow wrote:

What about tech writers in the medical, scientific, manufacturing,
geological, and other industries?

Well, the list wasn't designed to be all-encompassing. I was just giving examples. Certification could also be given for subject matter expertise. For example, one option might be science expertise, with a requirement to demonstrate competence in several areas such as medicine, geology, and biology.

I mentioned coding expertise because over half the jobs for technical writers are in software, and because being able to read coad would be useful in almost any industry you're in. In many cases, there's no longer much of a distinction between software and hardware, because the software runs the hardware.

::: - Certification in a single, specialized area.

Ah, but that blows away the need for the former then, right?

Maybe. But then again, maybe not. I wasn't advocating either or both - just mentioning how the question has been approached in the past. But, conceivably, the two approaches might not be mutually exclusive. Basic certitication could require generalist knowledge, while more advanced certification allowed for specialization. Academia, of course, is set up this way.

That's really tough to measure.
Yes. But universities do it all the time when issuing transfer credits. There should probably be some mechanism for appeals of decisions, but the concept is fairly well established.

A tech writer who has worked in the defense
industry for 25 years is more valuable to that industry than a very
well-rounded candidate with 25 years all over the place doing many different
things.

That's a matter of opinion, really. Some companies prefer specialists, other generalists. In the example cited above, the well-rounded candidate might be more valuable because he or she brings new perspectives. Ask me on alternate days, and you'll get different answers about which is better.

--
Bruce Byfield bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com 604.421.7177
http://members.axion.net/~bbyfield

"And if you think the pen is mightier than the gun,
I tell you, friend, that you're dreaming
'Cuz the countdown has begun;
We're having fun
Down on Airstrip One."
- Attila the Stockbroker



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RE: Hostility towards STC: From: Bill Swallow

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