Sell-by date rant (was Re: Rates)

Subject: Sell-by date rant (was Re: Rates)
From: "Katherine Noftz Nagel (Kat)" <lists -at- masterworkconsulting -dot- com>
To: "techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 09:49:47 -0500

On 2010-10-27 8:56 AM, Elaine Garnet wrote:
> I so agree with the sell-by date. Mine apparently expired many years
> ago despite my technological aptitude. I am finding that companies are
> hiring candidates fresh out of university and training them for the
> job. These young ones will work long hours for dirt cheap wages. How
> can you compete with that if you have 10 years experience doing that
> job successfully and are a mature candidate?

I'm also discovering that gray hairs don't get the gold.

When I started my professional life as a research chemist, and later
started freelancing as a technical writer, gender was the issue. I had
to deal with managers and prospective clients who didn't believe a woman
could function successfully in a technical career. I managed, of course
<grin>. And had quite a lot of fun in the process.

Now, it's that gray hair. It takes a gawdawful amount of effort to
convince a 30-something engineer/MBA that 17 years as a research
scientist and 20+ years documenting new medical devices, laboratory
SOPs, computer networks, industrial safety systems, payroll and benefits
management software, and automated fork-lift trucks qualifies me to
write highly technical material such as a lab-management system user manual.

Oh, I usually get the projects, especially if the engineer/MBAs mother
was a techie. But the process is exhausting. I'm considering starting a
professional association for people like me. Gonna call it NAGG.

--
K@
Kat Nagel, Owner, MasterWork Consulting
Founder, National Association of Granny Geeks(tm)
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