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: Would you hire... From:Elna Tymes <etymes -at- LTS -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 23 Jun 1997 09:55:26 -0700
Chris Hamilton wrote
>
> My question is this: if a technical writer were to take a year or two
> and program in COBOL because the money is incredible, would it hurt that
> technical writer's credibility with you if you were a hiring manager?
Not with THIS hiring manager! Look at what you'd learn:
1. How to make antiquated COBOL code talk to something useful in
todays' client/server marketplace.
2. Tools for finding specific kinds of bugs - there will likely be more
of the algorithm-dependent bugs like that cropping up in the next
decade.
3. Increased understanding of what is now called system integration. I
believe that this area is the next huge development area for this
business, and anyone who understands how to get A to talk to B, and then
explain that to mere mortals, is in for some interesting job prospects.
4. A better set of tools at home. This is called 'investing in
yourself' in other settings. At least I assume that you'll use some of
those megabucks to invest in your tools.
Good luck!
Elna Tymes
Los Trancos Systems
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html