Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken

Subject: Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken
From: Mike Starr <mikestarr-techwr-l -at- writestarr -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:30:50 -0500

In the grand scheme of things I'm sure you're right. I'm not sure that the Dictionary of Occupational Titles is useful for other than the interpretation of census data. In the old days, when one applied for unemployment compensation, the folks in the unemployment office listed your occupation under the appropriate D.O.T. number in order to flag jobs for which you were qualified. It may also be used by high school/college counselors. Having been prompted to get off my fat keister and actually look it up, I found it at http://www.oalj.dol.gov/libdot.htm with this revealing tidbit...

"The DOT was created by the Employment and Training Administration, and was last updated in 1991. It is included on the Office of Administrative Law Judges web site because it is a standard reference in several types of cases adjudicated by the Office of Administrative Law Judges, especially labor-related immigration cases."

Given that it was last updated 17 years ago, it's probably well past its sell-by date.

However, I note that it has been replaced by O*NET OnLine at http://online.onetcenter.org/ where I find *Technical Writer* at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/27-3042.00 with the description:

"Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

Sample of reported job titles: Technical Writer, Information Developer, Documentation Specialist, Documentation Designer, Engineering Writer, Technical Communicator"

Mike
--
Mike Starr WriteStarr Information Services
Technical Writer - Online Help Developer - Technical Illustrator
Graphic Designer - Desktop Publisher - MS Office Expert
(262) 694-1028 - mike -at- writestarr -dot- com - http://www.writestarr.com

Gene Kim-Eng wrote:
> I'd worry about that if I thought anyone who was looking for
> a technical writer was actually using the DOL titles.
>
> Gene Kim-Eng
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mike Starr" <mikestarr-techwr-l -at- writestarr -dot- com>
>> I've been objecting to STC's effort to change the definition of the job as
>> listed in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles published by the US Department
>> of Labor. My objection isn't to the changed title (technical communicator) but
>> to the fact that the definition text they want DOL to adopt contains no
>> reference whatsoever to writing or writer. If that happens, someone searching
>> for a technical *writer* won't find that title.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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.


References:
Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken: From: Nancy Allison
Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken: From: John Hedtke
Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken: From: Bill Swallow
Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken: From: Mike Starr
Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken: From: Gene Kim-Eng

Previous by Author: Re: Adding "notes" pages to a reference manual?
Next by Author: Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken
Previous by Thread: Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken
Next by Thread: Re: Definition of Tech Writer, was STC is broken


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads