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.
New writer looking for advice (Was- Using Auto Screen Shot Tools ~ Are They Helpful?)
Subject:New writer looking for advice (Was- Using Auto Screen Shot Tools ~ Are They Helpful?) From:Julie Stickler <jstickler -at- gmail -dot- com> To:"techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:17:16 -0400
Well, for starters, you could try changing the subject to start a new
thread so your question doesn't get lost in someone else's discussion.
As a TW currently working in MA, I strongly suggest that you try to
increase your technical skills. There seem to be two types of people who
call themselves Technical Writers, folks to take what other people write
and clean it up (editing, formatting, desktop publishing) and folks who
actually dig into the products they document, learn them and write the
documentation that meets their users needs (and presents the information at
the technical level of their audience). You most definitely want to be the
second type of technical writer if you want to find work in MA. There are
limited opportunities for editors these days. Most of our TW openings are
in computer software, medical/pharmaceutical, and finance, all fields where
you are going to be expected to have some domain knowledge and solid skills.
You might want to consider finding an open source project (try GitHub or https://www.openhub.net/ to find projects that could use some TW
assistance) and contribute documentation if you need to build up your
contacts and portfolio.
As far as job searching goes, keep an eye on the big job boards (Monster,
CareerBuilder, Dice, Indeed). You might also want to check out
glassdoor.com once you start interviewing. You need to have either salary
or interview questions to share anonymously in order to view their data,
but it's useful for getting the inside scoop on businesses, and they also
send job openings via e-mail.
Start building your LinkedIn network. Tell everyone that you're job
hunting. Look for meetups or other meetings (for example, Agile New
England) where you can learn new skills and meet people in the industry.
Good luck!
On Mon, Apr 13, 2015 at 8:35 PM, carolyn223 palo <carolynpalo -at- gmail -dot- com>
wrote:
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I am new to this discussion group. I am in the process of getting new
> skills to get into the technical writing field.
> I live in Mass. I am a creative writer/playwright, but find a writing job
> in the technical field is how I would like to
> earn a living. I am currently applying to a non-credit program for 2
> classes, one in the fall and one in the spring.
> Any thoughts as to how I can begin learning or job search prior to the
> certification program is over? I have a B.A. in English and an M.S. in
> Communications - but lack the strong tech skills used in today's tech
> writing field.
>
> I have signed up for MadCap flare tutorials but haven't yet tried it.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Carolyn
>
> On Fri, Apr 10, 2015 at 7:04 PM, Jill Gallagher <
> jill -dot- gallagher -at- outlook -dot- com>
> wrote:
>
> > Today a project manager (and an IT guy) approached me, all excited about
> a
> > Microsoft auto screen shot tool she just learned about that will really
> be
> > beneficial to me and revolutionize my job as a technical writer (who
> knew?)
> > She wanted me to drop what I was doing and look into it with them
> > immediately at my desk. I did rebuff them, as I was deep in an editing
> > project and I was annoyed, I admit. I'll look into it next week, I told
> > them.
> > I've never used an automated screen shot tool (static screens, not video)
> > and I don't see the value of "whipping" through an unfamiliar software
> > process in order to quickly create a bevy of numerically named screen
> shots
> > in a folder. I would still need to revisit each one, rename it, edit it
> > (cropping, etc. as needed), plunk it into my document, and write a draft
> of
> > the steps associated with it.
> > My current process is to navigate through the software, digesting the
> > material as the "user," while stopping to create each screen shot using
> > Snippit (that's what we have here). This method allows me to name and
> save
> > the screen shot and insert it into my document on the fly. I find it
> > especially helpful if I'm learning the software as I go, which is usually
> > the case for technical writers. That's part of our job. In addition, part
> > of my job is to evaluate the user interface and find bugs. My turtle
> > process suits me better than that of the hare. It's more thoughtful and
> > thorough it seems.
> > Also, can auto screen shot tools capture dropdown menus?
> > Regards,
> > Jill GallagherTechnical Writer/Editor/Manual Screen Shot Creator
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> > Adobe TCS 5: Get the Best of both worlds: modern publishing and best in
> > class XML \ DITA authoring | http://adobe.ly/scpwfT
> >
> > ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> >
> > You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as carolynpalo -at- gmail -dot- com -dot-
> >
> > To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> > techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> >
> >
> > Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
> > http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more resources and
> > info.
> >
> > Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our
> online
> > magazine at http://techwhirl.com
> >
> > Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our public
> > email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Carolyn Palo
>
> Partnership Management - Marketing Communications - Writer
> Phone: 617-491-0551
> Email: carolynpalo -at- gmail -dot- com
> Professional Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynpalo
> Blog: http://carrie223.wordpress.com
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Adobe TCS 5: Get the Best of both worlds: modern publishing and best in
> class XML \ DITA authoring | http://adobe.ly/scpwfT
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as jstickler -at- gmail -dot- com -dot-
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
>
> Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
>http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more resources and
> info.
>
> Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our online
> magazine at http://techwhirl.com
>
> Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our public
> email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
>
--
Julie Stickler http://heratech.wordpress.com/
Blogging about Agile and technical writing
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Adobe TCS 5: Get the Best of both worlds: modern publishing and best in class XML \ DITA authoring | http://adobe.ly/scpwfT
