THANK YOU! (and a LONG summary of the results)

[Heather Atkinson <HMA209 -at- SAFETY -dot- NWSCC -dot- SEA06 -dot- NAVY -dot- MIL>]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! to everyone who responded to my
career survey.  I got over 40 responses -- many of which were lengthy
and very helpful.  Some of you chose not to answer the survey, but
offered some good insight.  I appreciate the time you took out of
your busy schedules to help me out.  I got a lot of good advice and
*LOTS* of encouragement.  Thanks again!  :-)

A few of you asked me to post a "generalized" summary of the results,
so here it is.  If you want more details, please send me a message
and I'll expand.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
DEGREES --

English/Journalism/Prof. Writing/
Creative Writing/Tech. Writing                15

Technical Communications                       5

Biology/Chemistry/Sciences                     3

Business Comm./Business Mgmt.                  2

Photojournalism, History, Liberal Arts,
Education, Linguistics, Chinese, Math          1


HIGHER DEGREES --

English/Professional Writing                   3
Education/Instructional Design                 1
Molecular Biology                              1

PhD                                            1

Certif. of Tech. Writing                       1
"some" grad. work                              2

NO degree (or haven't finished)                3


NOTES:

* Those with higher degrees felt (of course) that it has helped and
  has made them more "marketable."

* Those who have thought about obtaining a higher degree mostly felt
  that the actual experience they're getting is doing more for them.

* Most agreed that the degree is important, but of little consequence
  to the employer, who is more concerned with the experience.

* Some questioned the "recent" obsession with obtaining a higher
  degree.

* And, some said that while _any_ education you get is helpful, just
  becuase you have a MA or PhD doesn't mean you'll get the job.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GEOGRAPHIC --

Those reporting "good" or "favorable" job markets were:
    Boston/Concord/Canton, Mass.
    San Diego
    Orange County
    San Fran. Bay area
    Silicon Valley
    Austin/Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas
    Ottawa, Canada
    Huntsville, AL
    East Tenn.
    Des Moines
    Washington, DC

The areas people felt were only "OK" or "fair" were:
    Phoenix
    Portland, OR
    Ft. Collins, CO
    Melbourne, FL

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MONEY --

Starting          Current           Yrs. Exp.
--------          -------           ---------
  20K               35K                10
 $7/hr.             40K                12
  27K             $35/hr.
 $8/hr.             40K                11
  22K               49K                 7
  22K               43K                 8
  24K               40K                 3
  16K               36K                 8
  29K               36K               2 1/2
  16K               40K
  29K               60K
  28K
  31K
  20K ('88)
  25K
  24K ('84)
                    41K                 20
                    31K
                    50's K              20
                    40's K               3
                    30's K               3
                    50K                 20


* One survey in Mass. reported that the average salary for college
  grads in that area is $26,000-$32,000.

* Another formula reported that the median salary for 2 years or
  less experience should be between $27,000-$31,000.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OTHER COMMENTS --

* A _LOT_ of you projected very negative (anti-government) comments
  and encouraged me to "get out of mil-specs."  I learned that
  there is a lot of stereotyping when it comes to government
  employees.  Some of you said in the past you haven't been
  impressed with the quality of work from gov't people and have
  been reluctant to hire them.  You think they're lazy, too used to
  a "do your 40 hrs. and no more" week, spend too much money they
  don't have, etc.

  In _my_ defense, I work for a lowly contractor for the gov't.  We
  have old, slow PC's, and NO money to buy new ones (while the
  _gov't_ upgrades their 386's to 486's when a 286 would totally
  suffice!)  I'm a _VERY_ hard worker and have often worked
  overtime to meet a deadline.  (_WE_ can't spend two years
  deciding how to spell "cat"!!)  :-)

* Many of you suggested I learn all of the new software and programs
  that are available and used "out there."

* And, as any experienced veteran would tell you, most of you said
  that sending thousands of resumes isn't the way to find a job.
  NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK is the way to go!

* And finally, all of you gave me thumbs up for joining STC.

  I got a lot of "good luck" and "hang in there" encouragements.  I
  _REALLY_ appreciate all of your advice and willingness to tell me
  your background and experiences!  THANKS AGAIN!!!


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!     Heather M. Atkinson, Technical Writer    !
!         Computer Data Systems, Inc.          !
! Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center !
!               Crane, Indiana                 !
!      HMA209 -at- SAFETY -dot- NWSCC -dot- SEA06 -dot- NAVY -dot- MIL      !
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!