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: Certification From:Audrey Anglemyer <audreya -at- CLARK -dot- EDU> Date:Wed, 27 Dec 1995 12:34:51 -0800
On Wed, 27 Dec 1995, Robert Plamondon wrote:
> No doubt the Tech Writing profession will "mature" just as the
> programming profession has...
> Certification might possibly be an adult-ed sort of thing, but
> I think the likely route is that degrees will be considered to be
> the important thing, and that certificates like that of De Anza
> College's "you took six classes, you're a tech writer" will grow
> into associates' and bachelors' degrees in Technical Writing on
> a widespread basis, and that we Pioneers of Modern Technical Writing
> will be forever uncertified, just as the Programmers of the Early
> Days are.
> And, like the Programmers of the Early Days, we'll do just fine.
As a student at Clark Community College, I am pursuing a
Scientific-Technical Communicatins Degree. This glorified
Associate in Arts Degree Program entails English courses,
choice of a science specialty, computer skills, and the
basic *core* classes. While co-op credits are encouraged
as electives, the value of experience is not incorporated
well into this program. This is a transferrable degree,
not a certificate, and is supposed to carry more clout
than just a traditional degree with a major, say the
program advisors at Clark.
Yet, as I near graduation, it is obvious that having real
work-world experience would be a faster shoe-in to a job.
I am a diligent student, and often find myself standing
among fresh-out-of-high-school and not-so-serious peers,
that could get the same degree without applying
themselves so much as I do.
I will be searching for work to break into the field of
TW before I decide if it's worth continuing my formal
education beyond this program.
I can only hope that my resume and the interview process
will frame my skills better than the next *schooled* TW.
While I do value my education, two years experience in
the real world seems to be a far more valuable asset in
the job search than the two years I'm putting into school.
I see tech-writing to link two greatly varied skill-levels
within in a vast array of disciplines. TW tailors technical
info to even more diverse audiences. I don't believe any
standard certification process could prove skills, or show
adequate job qualifications, although it could be another
useful method of networking.
