PHD in Tech writing

["G. Abenhaim" <g -dot- abenhaim -at- nhc -dot- com>]

HI,
I just read a few emails on this topic and would like to know and understand
why a person would take a PhD in this field.
Id like to share my input with you. Maybe in the US it is different but here
in Canada it is like this as far as I know.

Most tech writers have certificates in tech writing and a Bachelor is
English, Journalism or Languages or even Computer science. Most Universities
here in Montreal do not offer degrees per say in tech writing. There isnt
enough demand. Most people dont know the field exists. I have to explain to
most what I do and where I took my courses. Most will answer they didnt know
the program existed and never heard of the title "tech writer". I always
have to explain..

Now question is most companies want a junior or senior tech writer. If you
have a PhD, the salary is not much better than being a senior since we all
have the STC Salary survey on hand..so it would be for the money. Now why
would you do that? Is the love of tech writing? To my knowledge, it is great
to have but may not encourage employers to give you employment for the
reason of salary expectations. They will eliminate your CV due to expecting
you to ask for a high salary that most managers do not even get.

Please clear it up for me.
/G