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Re: [Fwd: Re: Is this really a tech writing job?]

Subject: Re: [Fwd: Re: Is this really a tech writing job?]
From: Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 10:21:00 -0800


Sarah Stegall wrote:

How are we to expect respect in this field if we let management treat us like this? How can we expect to be treated as professionals if we allow ourselves, even at the entry level, to be hyphenated into a non-professional job? I wonder how many engineering graduates would accept an entry-level job labeled "Engineering/Admin Assistant". How many software developers would want to be a "Programmer/File Clerk"? They would not stand for this kind of professional dilution, and we should not either.

I understand your indignation. However, what exactly do you mean by not standing for it? Technical writers are not organized as a profession; in fact, a large number - maybe even a majority - resist the very idea. And, probably, there are people desperate enough for work or a start that they would take this kind of position.

In these circumstances, I regret to say, decrying such positions is about all that you do - and that seems unlikely to change the practice. Meanwhile, the only type of respect you can hope for is the personal respect you gain through your abilities.

--
Bruce Byfield 604-421-7177
http://members.axion.net/~bbyfield

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Re: [Fwd: Re: Is this really a tech writing job?]: From: Sarah Stegall

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