Re: Career change to tech writing

[John Garison <john -at- garisons -dot- com>]

I have to pretty much echo what Dana says, with maybe a little caveat 
and a war story.

I have taught tech writing for over 15 years, and I do think that a 
little bit if training can go a long way. Not to dislocate my shoulder 
while patting myself on the back, but I've had two separate instances 
where former students of mine have come up to me and said that they took 
my Intro to Tech Writing course and have been working as writers ever 
since. It was a 14-week course, based on real world issues and 
approaches, and taught people what writers really have to do, what it's 
like to do it in the environment they'll face, and what skills and 
aptitudes they'll need to succeed. So, if you can find a course like 
that, take it.

OTOH, don't put an impediment in your way that doesn't really exist. Put 
yourself out there and look for work as a writer. If the first two dozen 
interviews all tell you that you need some sort of training before 
they'll consider you (despite you showing them you have the skills and 
some practical experience already), then take the message and go get the 
training. If not, then keep at it until you find someone that will hire you.


My 2¢,

John


Dana Worley wrote: