First jobs...? -Reply

[David Hailey <FAHAILEY -at- WPO -dot- HASS -dot- USU -dot- EDU>]

Hi Thespina,

Mitch's advice is belly belly good.  I would add, though, that you not wait
for a job to build skills.  If you can get a copy of a few authoring
applications get them and practice using them,  for example, practice building
web sites (Netscape Gold is free to people learning to use it--if you can't
afford the more expensive products).  Forehelp also has a free demo that will
allow you to build up to ten pages to practice help files.  Microsoft's
HTMLHelp beta is now available to the public--also free.   Java is free, and
JavaScript is in the public domain.  Even if they don't become dominant (and I
suspect that they will) understanding them will help you better understand
what replaces them.  Understanding, Java also gives you a running start at
understanding other OO applications.

I am not saying that you can necessarily become an expert in any of these
applications, nor should you pass yourself off as proficient in something you
barely understand, but as an entry-level person, if you barely understand
these topics, you know a lot more than most students graduating with
TechWriting degrees, and  everything you can put on your resume and in your
portfolio puts you ahead of them.

Hoping this helps a little.

Dave Hailey

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