Re: Can this career be saved?

[Deborah Hemstreet <dvora -at- tech-challenged -dot- com>]

Hi Becca,

Additional training never hurts. However, in today's climate, they will 
(unfortunately be more impressed) by a degree such as a BA or MA or PhD 
(piled higher and deeper).... at the end of the day, experience, you, 
and the needs of the company will determine everything.

I worked in hi-tech for 10 years overseas. When I got to the US, all my 
experience and training and good references could not get me a job in 
Michigan -- probably because of the economy. However, I kept up with my 
private work and contacts. Now, I am back overseas and found a decent 
job as English Editor for a large hospital. Not hi-tech - but still 
related to my field....

The point -- I believe once a good technical writer -- (unless you are 
careless or senile) -- always a good technical writer. Tools change but 
the elements of sound communication don't. Maybe the field has changed, 
but my perception is that you take the basics and simply apply them to 
other forms of writing, be it scripts, presentations, Help, business 
documentation, or end-user documentation.

As long as you are not in Michigan, your track record, refs and 
experience will be a match for many other businesses... you just have to 
start looking.

If you are going to study, if you can afford it, go for something 
bigger. You can always learn tools, and what is the point of learning 
Frame if you get hired by a company that will never use it (and there 
are many out there). A good technical writer can learn any tool (I 
believe). But not everyone who knows the tools is a good writer!

Hope all goes well for you in your job search!

Blessings!

Deborah



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On 06/06/2011 7:11 PM, Becca wrote: