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Last year I interned as part of a TW grad program. I was hired to
document both software and physical procedures as well as work with
websites and online help. There were many good opportunities to shine
and a lot of rope to hang--if you're the sort of person who can't stay
on top of things. Fortunately, everything went very well. (They kept me
a year, instead of a semester, but lacked funding to keep me
full-time/perm.)
I didn't really have anyone over me who was a tech pubs expert and the
only two peers were also grad interns (and worked for other
departments). I was never treated as "entry-level" and was praised (or
not) based upon the work. My documentation was immediately put in use
on-site. This gave me a chance to see my work in action. I observed
several employees using my documentation--exciting and challenging at
the same time.
In a way, yes, an intership is "cheap help," but the students need
something solid on their resume and a chance to show what they know.
But any writer--or employee--should be treated as an equal and allowed
to prove him/herself. Just because they are interning doesn't mean they
have zilch for experience or ability. For instance, I had written in
both insurance and government environments prior to attending grad
school.
Remember the golden rule: do unto others etc...
Good luck with your intern!
Arroxane Ullman
Senior Technical Writer
Sundance Digital
-----Original Message-----
Gene Kim-Eng wanted to know:
1. You took formal education for a tech writing/com degree
or certificate...
2. You interned during your education...
3. You feel that your internship was a *good* experience for you
And the question is, what about it made it a good experience? Did
the tech pubs manager and/or writers provide any mentoring or
advising beyond just treating you like an entry level writer, or was
it a good experience *because* they treated you like an entry level
writer?
I suspect that what my upper management is really thinking may be
"cheap summer help," but if I do host someone called an intern, I'd
like to make sure I actually provide something useful to the intern.
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