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.
Having a Ph.D. (also in lit) never hurt me at all. I left a tenured faculty
position 17 years ago to become a technical writer (and get rich and famous).
The Ph.D. helped get the first tech writing job and several thereafter, and it
helped provide credentials for a period of consulting. Later, it helped me get
promoted to tech comm management positions. While I was working as a tech
writer and manager, I also taught some part time classes at nearby colleges. A
year ago, I decided to return to academia full time, and a Ph.D. was required
to do that. IOW, far from hurting, it helped my career and has helped open
doors to working as a writer, consultant, manager, and (full circle) a college
professor.
Cheers,
Stan Dicks
Assistant Professor, Rhetoric and Technical Communication
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8101
