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.
Erin Christine McLaughlin writes that as a student she doesn't have many
samples for her portfolio, but that in preparation for an internship, a
professor requires her to include samples from classes.
That's a great idea, especially if you have samples like they reflect the
type of documents you might write on the job. When I was reviewing
applications for an entry-level position, I found samples from classes
helpful in showing me:
* what was the candidate learning in a TW program
* what I might expect the candidate to be able to produce on the job
If you don't think you have good samples from classes, consider making up
some samples (e.g., do a good job writing up instructions for your mother or
a friend to do something).
