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.
Subject:Re: Background From:Karla McMaster <mcmaster%pcmail -dot- cti-pet -dot- com -at- CTI-PET -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 2 Nov 1994 14:40:18 EST
Quite a few people have responded to James Inman's request about background
stressing analytical skills and a desire to learn. I couldn't agree more.
I have written about various topics ranging from insurance to medical equipment
to vibration analysis equipment to financial planning software. All this with a
B.A. in Biology and work toward an M.A. in science journalism.
I credit my liberal arts education and my training/experience as a journalist
with giving me the wherewithal to do what I do. I agree with Carma, who said
interview skills are _very_ important. I believe a person must know enough
grammar to know when to look something up and where. As far as computer skills,
I hadn't worked with a computer until a couple months before I took my first
technical writing job. It's not that tough to learn, if you have AN INQUIRING
and ANALYTICAL MIND!
Karla McMaster, technical writer
CTI PET Systems, Inc., Knoxville, TN
mcmaster -at- cti-pet -dot- com