TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
1. Keep up with technology, learn the scientific method, write as much as you can.
2. MIT is a good place to start, but really any college with a sound technical program. I would ask interested students to focus on technology. I recommend that anyone looking to have a career in technical writing, with a high degree of success to double major in Professional Writing or English and a technical field like Computer Science, Engineering, Biology, etc. This will give them an edge when they enter the marketplace. If you had to pick a single degree, I would take the technical degree over the humanities focus.
3. Salary ranges really vary by location and experience. The range is probably 30k - 120k+.
----- Original Message ----
From: Sherrill Fink <slfink -at- verizon -dot- net>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 7:07:52 PM
Subject: Introduction
Hi,
I used to be on this list many years ago, and now I'm returning for a
short while. I worked as a DoD Technical Writer/Editor for 15 years,
and four years ago I resigned to homeschool my children full-time. I
do accept the occasional freelance job, though, and I enjoy keeping
my hand in. Recently, I was asked to give a 1-hr talk to
homeschooled high-school students on tech-whirling as a career.
So, naturally, my thoughts fondly returned to the tech-whirlers who
were always such a wealth of information and encouragement to me in
earlier years. Would anyone be willing to weigh in on:
1. What students can learn now to help them prepare
2. What colleges are good to attend for this type of work (I know
these don't precisely correspond to those with "technical writing" as
a major)
3. What salary range could they expect
I don't want to just "use" you folks as a substitute for my own
research, but since I've been out of active commission for a while,
and before that was in the government (now, that isn't NECESSARILY
redundant, mind you), I would like to ask for your opinions to
augment my research.
This is your opportunity to spout off to those young whippersnappers
of today. What would you want newbies to learn before they try to
apprentice under you?
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