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: Breaking In - kinda long From:Ron D Rhodes <Ron_D_Rhodes -at- MAIL -dot- BANKONE -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 12 Sep 1997 09:59:42 -0400
Monica,
Judging from what you have described, you already have a good start on
your career. But I do have some pointers. Please, take my advice for
what it's worth.
1. Find your passion.
Decide what area you want to focus upon, end-user or high-tech.
End user's are often easier to please than meticulous detail-oriented
programmers and network admins (Please, no-one slam-dunk me for saying
this.). But the end-user pay scale is often lower, too.
2. Bring writing samples to interviews.
Make sure they are always grammatically solid. Most of the time, an
interviewer doesn't have time to see how you organize your chapters,
but you just might run into an editor who brandishes a red felt-tip
Sharpie on the end of an itchy trigger finger.
3. Persevere.
Like most industries, there is a small handful of people who are very
condescending. They might tell you that you can't do the job or,
worse, hold up your career. If you find yourself working with/for one
of these people, address the problem right away; don't wait. If you
don't get a resolution, move on, don't look back, and keep slogging
away. You'll make it!
4. Accept criticism.
If your editor/supervisor edits your manual and the red ink looks like
it was sprayed from a Wagner Power Painter, don't get defensive.
That's a common rookie mistake. If you are lucky enough to have a
boss that knows how to write, you will come to appreciate the
constructive criticism, regardless of how harsh the comments may seem
at the time.
5. Ask for help when you need it.
This business is full of good, make that great, people who habitually
go out of their way to help you. Rely on them; they want to help you.
As in my case, their positive attitude was infectious. The same will
happen to you.
That's my two-cents worth (do I need a hyphen here?). Well, back to
work!
Ron Rhodes
Technical Writer
Compuware Corporation
ron_d_rhodes -at- mail -dot- bankone -dot- com
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
