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.
I think trying to certify tech writers is impossible. Accountants and union
carpenters all have a core set of highly testable skills, I suppose.
Doctors meet the requirements of the MD at a specific university. But if
you have a damaged aorta, better to have a board certified thoracic surgeon
than your family physician.
Tech writers' skill consist generally of the ability to write concisely.
Beyond that, we all write about different things; our knowledge sets vary as
does technology. Even our tools are different: Some use Word, others
WordPerfect, FrameMaker, Photoshop or Corel, Illustrator or AutoCAD, Front
Page or Dreamweaver.
IMHO, you might as well try to certify artists.
Kyle Kimberlin
Technical Writer
Digital Instruments, Veeco Metrology Group
Santa Barbara, CA. USA
Bruce Byfield wrote:
> Properly handled, certification could be useful to potential employers.
> They could expect a certain a minimal standard, just as they could when
> choosing a doctor, an accountant, or a union carpenter.
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