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.
>I would like to hear from tech writers, if there are any out there, in the
>life sciences/ecology/archaeology fields. What kinds of firms employ
>writers in these fields? What kinds of documents do these firms
>generate?
For the last couple of years, I've been working primarily on life sciences
material. My clients (and types of activity for each) have been:
Large corporations:
# wall charts summarizing medical laboratory tests (design/research/write)
# user manuals for a lab information system (write)
Professional practices:
# patient information brochures for a group medical practice
(design/research/write/produce)
# article for professional journal (edit)
Not-for-profit agencies:
# study guides for medically-related exhibits at a historical museum
(design/research/write)
# newsletter for an environmental organization (design/edit)
# bibliographies, study guides, and displays for a public library
(design/reasearch/write)
There are LOTS of non-engineering opportunities out there. It just takes a
little digging to find them --- and convince the appropriate managers to
hire a professional writer/designer instead of leaving the project to a
spare secretary or administrative assistant. And, since many of the
projects are for smaller organizations, the $$$ isn't always as good. The
advantages are variety and exceptionally interesting subject matter.
@Kat_____ Kat Nagel
MasterWork Consulting Services Rochester, NY
LIFE1 (techwriting/docdesign) katnagel -at- eznet -dot- net
LIFE2 (vocal chamber music) PlaynSong -at- aol -dot- com