Certification

["Misti Tucker USAET(UTC -04:00)" <mtucker2 -at- E-MAIL -dot- COM>]

Shawn,
Education isn't a waste of your time.  Education is *never* a waste of time.
The point many people are trying to make is that education isn't the only
valid path to becoming a superior technical writer.  Study on, be be aware
that to get your foot in the door will take more than a degree or two -- it
will also require contacts and experience.  Where do you get those?
1) Getting out there and volunteering for projects where you see a need and
   putting the results in your portfolio.
2) Getting an internship through your school at every opportunity and putting
   what you can into your portfolio and impressing the folks you work for with
   your professionalism.
3) Attending your local STC meetings whenever the topic seems even somewhat
   related to your career goals and volunteering for STC projects.  (It'll
   give you a chance to get to know the people who do the hiring and nothing
   feels better than going into an interview with someone you're already
   somewhat comfortable with!)

Good luck!  Have fun!

Misti Tucker
Technical Communication                 mta -at- cyberspace -dot- org  (h)
& Help System Design                    mtucker2 -at- e-mail -dot- com (w)

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