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Subject:Re: Get a job From:Sheridan-Smith John <john -dot- sheridan-smith -at- BMWFIN -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 3 Jun 1999 15:15:44 +0100
> Other people tell me that I'm mad, and that I need to do some kind of
> course/learn how to programme etc before even thinking of trying to get a
> tech writing job
Assuming you are aiming at work partly or wholly in the software industry,
which is where most of the jobs are:
A lot of tech writing jobs go to programmers because a lot of software
industry employers don't understand the job of tech writer. Equally a lot
programmers will give you a hard time as a tech writer if you are not an ex
programmer. You can only fully combat these situations by being a
programmer - that's not the same thing as "taking a course ..."
If you really want to be writer, concentrate on developing the skills of
good writer and pick up as much knowledge of programming and techy stuff as
you can and are interested in doing but see it only as background knowledge
and a bonus for whoever is lucky enough to employ you.
