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Subject:Re: beginner seeks info From:Ron Starr <rons -at- MICROSOFT -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 26 May 1994 17:22:08 PDT
As a hiring manager (yes, a member of the parasitic classes) the *last*
thing I look for is a tech writing degree.
The first thing I look for is whether or not the person can write. I
want to see samples, a range of samples usually, so that I get an idea
of the person's range. I want to know the person's work history and
experience, too.
The "e" word - "experience" - is, of course, the problem. To get
experience, as many on the list have suggested in the past, get hooked
up with the local STC chapter. Go to the meetings. Find out about their
job list. Do temporary or contract writing or editing. There are often
agencies specializing in the placement of technical temporaries who can
get you doing some work.
If you want to do technical writing, dive in.
----------
From: "Andrew J. English" <aenglish -at- CRL -dot- COM>
To: Multiple recipients of list TECHWR-L <TECHWR-L -at- OSUVM1 -dot- BITNET>
Subject: beginner seeks info
Date: Thursday, May 26, 1994 11:13AM
Subject: advice needed for beginner
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.techwr-l
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access (415) 705-6060 [login: guest]
Summary:
Keywords:
I am looking for advice on how to strengthen my
qualifications in applying for a first-time
technical writing job. I am a member of the STC
chapter in Phoenix. I have a bachelor's degree
in physics, plus 30 hours graduate work in physics
and math, 1 semester of journalism-newswriting,
1 semester of journalism-producing the small pub-
lication, 1 semester of desktop publishing, about
6 years experience using Pagemaker and Microsoft
Word on the Mac, have put together newsletters
for several nonprofit groups, and recently was
published in the local business weekly with a
freelance story on women entrepreneurs in high-
tech industries.
My question is, what else should I do to get
considered for a entry-level job?
The university here does not offer any courses
in technical writing, but I did some research
and found out that the University of Illinois at
Urbana, University of Wisconsin at Madison, and
University of Washington in Seattle all offer
correspondence courses in technical writing.
Does anyone have any experience with college
courses in technical writing? Are they worthwhile?
What should I look for in comparing different
programs?
Please reply to this mailing list or email me
at aenglish -at- crl -dot- com
Thanks.
