TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re[2]: Certification From:"Susan W. Gallagher" <sgallagher -at- EXPERSOFT -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 4 Jan 1996 14:13:34 -0800
Judith Blackbourn wrote:
>> Here's my worry -- I don't have a college degree. So even though the
>> local STC chapter has awarded me a Best of Show the last two years,
>> I wouldn't be qualified for a certificate!
And Grant H answered:
>So far, I've not seen anyone say that you *have* to have a degree to
>get certified. I think that there might well be an "in lieu of" loophole
>that would let people such as yourself pass through (or over, or whatever :-)
Then Alexandria Khalil added:
>I don't think you need to change your career because of a certification
>requirement that you need a college degree. I think if that if a college degree
>were needed for any certification, you should go out and get the degree.
>Sometimes there is just no way around that type of requirement. Further, in
>terms of marketability, what harm would getting a degree cause?
So, now it's time to add my $.02...
Judith, you're not the only one sweatin' a degree requirement, although
I agree with Grant that certification will *probably* side-step the
issue by allowing you to substitute experience. There are *lots* of
us oldtimers who entered the profession long before tech writing
became a degree program. Some of us have degrees in other things, some
of us don't have degrees at all. A certification program that ignores
the abilities and contributions of the ancient and venerable (that's
me ;-) ) won't get very far.
Alexandria - I agree with you that in terms of marketability, a degree
would be more beneficial than harmful. But... Please be aware that there
are those, in our profession and elsewhere, who lack the economic
resources to obtain a degree, lack the time it takes to work on a degree
because of family obligations or whatever, or live in areas without
direct access to a 4-year school or with limited access to university
extensions that typically offer only business, education, and nursing
programs. If you're 20 and single and mom and dad are footing the
bill, getting a degree is easy. If you're 40 and divorced and
supporting 2 or 3 kids and don't live near a school that offers a
suitable program... They don't sell degrees at the supermarket, you
know?
-Sue Gallagher
sgallagher -at- expersoft -dot- com
