TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Yeah. . . and most of the things that make us grow professionally are available if we are interested in researching on our own.
Some of you have heard people on this forum discussing DIDA formats for information management. This is a really tough subject that requires a lot of research and possibly course time (perhaps on your own time and your own dime), but once mastered, it is a powerful skill and marketable. Even if DITA goes the way of the DODO, the underlying principles will still apply.
For the creative designers among us, Flash has always been fun. But in the past few years it has become a powerful, programmable tool that creates amazing instructional animations and simulations.
You can learn most applications and skills on your own. Universities bring more understanding of the principles underlying what you do.
As to the problem of colleges using unqualified instructors, If you ever decide to upgrade your credential with a degree or certificate -- check out the school -- e.g., http://techcomm.usu.edu/faculty.html. It only takes seconds to see whether the school hires untenurable instructors or heavy hitters. Also, check out what the students have to say -- e.g., http://techcomm.usu.edu/graduate/studentcomments.htm. Actually, students have often discussed their universities on this forum.
Apologies to Leonard, who gets to see this twice.
David E. Hailey, Jr., Ph.D.
Associate Professor -- Professional and Technical Writing
Utah State University
dhailey -at- english -dot- usu -dot- edu
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