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I will strive to forgive Martha for her choice of undergraduate
institutions! (eat 'em up Squirrels!)
I, too, never considered the idea of being a tech writer, although both
my parents were involved in aspects of it when I was growing up.
I *was* certain that I'd be involved with computers, science, and
information rather than something like law.
Nevertheless, I'm glad I got the smattering of "liberal arts" that I
did, and wish that I had done more. My view is that you can easily learn
computers, tech writing, business, and so forth after you're out of
school. It is much hard to learn chemistry, math, psychology, and
literature away from school. So while you're in college, use the
opportunity and don't worry about a "career."
The old joke about English majors is that their motto is "Do you want
fries with that?", but I don't really think that's true. It *may* be
true that if you're stuck on writing the Great American Novel or being a
hot-shot editor for a big book company or being an English professor,
the road may be uphill. But if you're willing to work hard, be
realistic, and add your uniqueness to whatever you do, you *will*
succeed.
Above all, don't study with the idea that somehow you'll be stamped out
like a license plate to be qualified for something. Go to learn and to
question.
Joe
Joe Malin
Technical Writer
(408)625-1623
jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com
www.tuvox.com
The views expressed in this document are those of the sender, and do not
necessarily reflect those of TuVox, Inc.
-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-216553 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-216553 -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Martha J
Davidson
Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 11:14 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: RE: Educational Backgrounds
I agree with Joe: study what interests you and see where it takes you.
I also have a liberal arts education: BA from Swarthmore College, with a
double major in Math and Philosophy. And if that wasn't enough, I also
have a MA from Yale in Semitic Languages.
I had no idea I'd end up as a tech writer, but it certainly seems to be
where I belong now.
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