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Subject:RE: Inventing a new job title From:"Steve Arrants" <steve_arrants -at- sonic -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 25 May 2001 10:55:28 -0700
> Hi all. [insert usual apologies if this topic was done recently]
>
> Here at my company, we're under some pressure to create job titles other
> than "technical writer." The thinking behind it is that "technical
> writer" puts a glass ceiling above your head. I have a co-worker who's
> been in the same position for years, but everyone else who started at
> the same time are now managers and directors and what-not.
It isn't the title as much as what you actually do. I can call myself
"Corporate
Jesus", but unless I perform God-like actions I'm still going to be a
technical writer.
> So our boss is trying to change the org chart so that we have titles
> that make it seem (to the HR department and upper management) that we
> aren't just typists and can branch out into other fields.
Is the boss also change your roles and responsibilities so that you do more
than "just type"?
Are you involved in things like product design, testing, marketing, etc.?
Will you be part of a
product team and actually have input on a product?
> Anyway, the only name that I have come up with is "information
> developer."
Like I said, just a change in title won't really matter. It is the work you
do, what you
end up contributing to the product and the company's bottom line that will
get you
noticed, valued, and thought of when new positions or responsibilities come
up.
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