Re: Most Impt. Skill to Learn in Tech Comm Program

["Dugas, Andrew" <ADugas -at- eTranslate -dot- com>]

Regarding technical skills specifically, leaving aside the question of the
hierarchical value of writing and design skills for the aspiring TW, may I
humbly suggest that the aspiring TW simply follow their Inner Geek, and
allow that process to direct their career path?

Someone with a knack for programming should develop programming skills. When
their career begins, they can then move naturally into an area that
interests them. 

Should the same person study a field they find abhorrent, say IT networking
and hardware documentation, at the expense of an area they find attractive,
they will find no happiness in school let alone in their career.

Their natural interest in programming will give them a leg-up against any TW
who hates programming but studied it because someone on some listserv
thought it would be a useful skill to have.

Aligning one's natural interests with one's career path may not guarantee
happiness, but it is certain to eliminate many of the obstacles to
happiness.

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