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: Slave wages or not? From:Rowena Hart <rhart -at- INTRINSYC -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 26 Jun 1998 10:11:54 -0700
All of this talk about working for $10 an hour is making
me nostalgic for the days when I *did* earn slave wages.
The best experiences I ever had as a tech. writer came from
jobs where I learned a million new things while struggling to
complete massive projects for little start-ups.
They paid me so pathetically that I usually had to work
weekends selling shoes, pumping gas or making pizzas.
BUT, I was held in high esteem because I was doing some-
thing that the company *really* valued. I was given a lot of
freedom to learn on the job. My recommendations were
given a lot of weight -- usually I reported straight to the
president (and owner). I had a lot of responsibility, and I
had a lot of fun.
I love my job now, and I can't say no to the big paycheque.
However, I can't help but think fondly of the days when getting
paid $10 an hour *just to write* was a privilege.