RE: Technical Writing Certifications

["Dori Green" <dgreen -at- associatedbrands -dot- com>]

Gene Kim-Eng wrote:
All the
tech pubs field has to do is agree what courses need
to be taken in the non-writing skills.  

*************

Heck, I'd be very pleased if STC developed a basic test and
certification like Manpower uses for its temporary secretaries.  A BS or
even MS in Tech Writing/Communications/English does not guarantee that I
will not still have to spend a lot of my time correcting typos,
spelling, and grammar errors.  Certification of basic "core
competencies" in those three specific areas would bring a candidate to a
significantly higher position on my "let's take a closer look" list.

With those three covered, I next want to see evidence that they have a
clue about how to use their brain to organize and prioritize
information.  It doesn't have to be organized and prioritized the same
way that I would do it, but they have to show me that they have a clue.

Of course I could teach all of those skills.  But if somebody is
presenting themselves as a professional tech writer, I should not have
to!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Dori Green

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.