Re: Breaking into the tech writing job market

Subject: Re: Breaking into the tech writing job market
From: Beth Agnew <beth -dot- agnew -at- senecac -dot- on -dot- ca>
Date: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 19:49:32 -0400

One of my technical communication students in our post-grad diploma program was passed over for an internship because she didn't have much work experience at all. She decided to use her four-month work term to work on her own project, so she created a user guide for an open source product to have something for her portfolio. She methodically went through all of the steps in the document development life cycle and produced an excellent result. The open source developers were thrilled to have her professional documentation, and she now has a great showpiece that is in use and available for download with the product. She is approaching graduation and already getting interviews from potential employers.who are impressed with her initiative.

Bottom line: Just jump in and go for it! You can find things to document easily enough, and there are plenty of organizations and companies needing your services. It doesn't matter what area of technical writing you start in, whether institutional writing or high tech user documentation. It's all valuable writing experience, and you will carve your own career path as you go. There is no one "right" way. Just having the desire puts you ahead of others who may be "better qualified" or more experienced but not as hungry.

Best wishes in your new career!
--Beth

--
Beth Agnew
Catch the Buzz: http://bethbuzz.blogspot.com
STC Presentation archived at:
http://www.301url.com/podcasting

Professor, Technical Communication
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
Toronto, ON 416.491.5050 x3133
http://www.tinyurl.com/83u5u

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

WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word features support for every major Help format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content delivery. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

Easily create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to any popular Help file format or printed documentation. Learn more at http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- infoinfocus -dot- com -dot-
To unsubscribe send a blank email to techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40infoinfocus.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -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:
Re: Breaking into the tech writing job market: From: Peter Neilson
Re: Breaking into the tech writing job market: From: John Posada
Re: Breaking into the tech writing job market: From: Henry J. Wicko II

Previous by Author: Re: Font
Next by Author: Re: Breaking into the tech writing job market
Previous by Thread: Re: Breaking into the tech writing job market
Next by Thread: RE: Breaking into the tech writing job market


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


Sponsored Ads