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Subject:Re: Become a tech writer in only 70 hours From:Rahel Bailie <rbailie -at- CASTLETON -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 12 Jun 1998 09:56:11 -0700
Agreed. I had an informational interview with an aspiring tech writer
who brought in a similar print ad. Learn Quark, PageMaker, FrameMaker,
PhotoShop and become the hottest technical communicator in the biz.
Editorial Eye said it best: The music is not in the violin. I can play
many instruments, but my skills would never get me a job with an
orchestra; the tech communicators I admire have the technologies under
their belt but as well, they have the theoretical knowledge that makes
their technologies "sing."
Rahel
From what you describe, they do teach you some application software. But
do
they teach you anything about _writing_? Do they teach you anything
about
information gathering strategies? Do they teach you anything about
handling
documentation projects? Do they teach you about ... ?????
From that description, it is a software using course ... nothing more.
I would be _very_ sceptical about them. I may be wrong; it wouldn't be
the
first time, but ...
>I just heard a commercial on KGO in San Francisco that offers
>to train you to make big money as a technical writer in 20 weeks.
>They suggest that you be a college graduate and know computers.
>The instructors are all working writers.
>Classes are 3.5 hours, once a week. They teach FrameMaker, RoboHelp,
>and HTML. You receive a "Certificate in Technical Writing."
>This school is part of an agency/head hunting firm owned by a person
>I know to be legitimate.
