Re: Tech Writing Internships

Subject: Re: Tech Writing Internships
From: arroxaneullman -at- aol -dot- com
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Sat, 04 Jun 2005 10:54:35 -0400


Hi Gene,

Last year I interned as part of a TW grad program. I was hired to document both software and physical procedures as well as work with websites and online help. There were many good opportunities to shine and a lot of rope to hang--if you're the sort of person who can't stay on top of things. Fortunately, everything went very well. (They kept me a year, instead of a semester, but lacked funding to keep me full-time/perm.)

I didn't really have anyone over me who was a tech pubs expert and the only two peers were also grad interns (and worked for other departments). I was never treated as "entry-level" and was praised (or not) based upon the work. My documentation was immediately put in use on-site. This gave me a chance to see my work in action. I observed several employees using my documentation--exciting and challenging at the same time.

In a way, yes, an intership is "cheap help," but the students need something solid on their resume and a chance to show what they know. But any writer--or employee--should be treated as an equal and allowed to prove him/herself. Just because they are interning doesn't mean they have zilch for experience or ability. For instance, I had written in both insurance and government environments prior to attending grad school.

Remember the golden rule: do unto others etc...

Good luck with your intern!

Arroxane Ullman
Senior Technical Writer
Sundance Digital

-----Original Message-----
Gene Kim-Eng wanted to know:

1. You took formal education for a tech writing/com degree
or certificate...
2. You interned during your education...
3. You feel that your internship was a *good* experience for you

And the question is, what about it made it a good experience? Did
the tech pubs manager and/or writers provide any mentoring or
advising beyond just treating you like an entry level writer, or was
it a good experience *because* they treated you like an entry level
writer?

I suspect that what my upper management is really thinking may be
"cheap summer help," but if I do host someone called an intern, I'd
like to make sure I actually provide something useful to the intern.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

New from Quadralay Corporation: WebWorks ePublisher Pro! Easily create 14 online formats, including 6 Help systems, in a project-based workflow. Live, online demo! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

Doc-To-Help 2005 now has RoboHelp Converter and HTML Source: Author content and configure Help in MS Word or any HTML editor. No proprietary editor! *August release. http://www.componentone.com/TECHWRL/DocToHelp2005

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.



References:
Dealing with required/optional information in the same doc: From: Victoria Wroblewski
Tech Writing Internships: From: Gene Kim-Eng

Previous by Author: Re: Question: Disclaimer?
Next by Author: Re: Where did you get your feet wet?
Previous by Thread: Re: Tech Writing Internships
Next by Thread: Re: Tech Writing Internships (long)


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads