RE: Associate Degree in Technical Communications

["Lauren" <lt34 -at- csus -dot- edu>]

An Associate Degree can show that you have some education.  The Technical
Communications certificate that some colleges offer may also be good.  Your
resume will say more about your abilities than your educational background,
but education can show potential that isn't demonstrated in your resume and
nearly any education will improve your marketability.  Your better off
getting a degree when you have the opportunity than trying to maintain a
career without one.

Without a degree you will need to demonstrate your abilities through years
of experience.  If you don't have that many years of experience now, then
you are probably better off getting the degree because the market is
competitive and getting the jobs to get the experience are a little more
difficult these days.

I started my career with a little education and education in technical
writing, but no degree.  That went well for 10 or so years.  I finally had
the opportunity to complete my bachelor's degree, so I did.  I think that it
helps because I don't have to answer as many questions about how I have
developed my skills.  Education is also good because it offers assorted
writing experiences that are not available outside of the education.

Lauren

> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lt34=csus -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com 
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lt34=csus -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On 
> Behalf Of dlang -at- terracom -dot- net
> Sent: Friday, February 09, 2007 5:48 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Associate Degree in Technical Communications
> 
> Greetings,
> 
> I am an experienced technical writer but currently lack a degree.
> 
> I found an online program at Gateway Technical College in 
> Wisconsin that results in an Associate Degree in Technical 
> Communications:
> http://cws.gateway.tec.wi.us/programs/techcomm/Courses/Course_
> Descriptions/c
> ourse_descriptions.html
> 
> Since this college is part of a vocational/technical group, 
> some or all of the credits will most likely transfer to the 
> Wisconsin state college system later. (I'm verifying this)
> 
> My question to the group: in your experience, how marketable 
> is an associate degree?  Most of the job postings I've seen 
> for tech writers have required at least a Bachelor's degree.
> 
> My areas of specialization include software documentation and 
> instructional material design, but I am considering 
> transitioning to marketing communications. 
> 
> Thanks in advance for any guidance you can provide,
> 
> Dixie Lang
> 
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