Re: entering tech writer field

[Andrew Plato <intrepid_es -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

"Tom Johnson" wrote..

> I was wondering if some of you might give me information about entering
the
> technical writing field. I don't have a strong background in technology,
but
> I do maintain a course website and listserv. I don't know framemaker or
> quark or excel that well, but my writing skills are refined. In April I
will
> graduate from an MFA program in creative nonfiction writing, and I would
> like to find some kind of junior level tech. writing job that would
allow me
> to get my foot in the door of the tech. writing field somewhere, an
> entry-level job that would allow me to gain the skills I'd need through
> varying needs on the job, etc. But the jobs I've seen all seem to
require
> knowledge of these technical programs in addition to experience. So, how
> does one begin without this heavy technology background? Are there
> entry-level tech. jobs that require very little knowledge and
experience?

I don't mean to rain on your parade Tom, but your situation is not very
promising. First, there are not very many jobs open right now for anybody,
let alone entry-level writers with no technical skills. 

Second, you need to acquire some technical skills. You might consider
taking some programming, engineering, or science classes. Just being a
good writer isn't enough to be a technical writer. You have to understand
the material. Which means you need some technical skills. 

You might try getting into a technology company as a tech support or
clerical position and then try to leverage into a tech writing position
once you have learned the technologies.

Good luck

Andrew Plato 

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals
http://personals.yahoo.com

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Collect Royalties, Not Rejection Letters! Tell us your rejection story when you 
submit your manuscript to iUniverse Nov. 6 -Dec. 15 and get five free copies of 
your book. What are you waiting for? http://www.iuniverse.com/media/techwr

Have you looked at the new content on TECHWR-L lately?
See http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ and check it out.

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot-  Visit 
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.