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Re: technical writer degree programs

Subject: Re: technical writer degree programs
From: Al Geist <al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
To: TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 03 Sep 2003 14:21:00 -0800



Gene Kim-Eng wrote:

It's probably more a reflection of my own professional
experience than anything else, but in my positions as
a publications manager, I never placed much value on a
degree in English or Journalism or in a technical writing
certificate unless it was accompanied by either a long
professional experience as a technical writer (5 years or
more) or a technical education.


I totally agree. My first job as a TW put me in a cube with a newly graduate English major. His business card said "Publication Specialist." He had zip experience writing tech manuals and in fact, hired consultants to generate flow charts, hardware functional diagrams, etc. I was a lowly former Application Engineer with a couple years experience writing tech manuals for government contractors. Although I lacked a degree in either English or Journalism, I had over 10 years experience as a hard core "techie." Within three months, English-guy had moved into HR and I was made the Lone Techwriter. That was over 20 years ago and I have found almost without exception, that a Journalism or English degree (or TW certificate) may influence some people, but it won't make you a good technical writer. You don't need to be an engineer, but without some hands-on technical experience, you really can't understand the product (program, concept, etc.), and if you don't understand what you are writing about, how can you explain it to others. This is not to say that a degree in Journalism (or English) isn't helpful. It's helped me make it through those rough times when TW jobs were scarce, but my minor in Computer Science augmented by my hardware/software background is, in my opinion, more invaluable.
--

Al Geist, Geist Associates
From Concept to Completion
Technical Writing, Publishing, Video, Web Design, Graphic Arts
Voice 907-317-3194 Fax 907-622-2321
www.geistassociates.com al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com <mailto:al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com>
"When the situation is absolutely hopeless, you have nothing to worry about."
Compliments of The Monkey Wrench Gang






References:
RE: technical writer degree programs: From: Gene Kim-Eng

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