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:"Green, Stan" <Stan -dot- Green -at- AAI-US -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 18 Nov 1998 11:03:05 -0600
Certification would be only as good as its acceptance .For example; if to be
certified was a prerequisite to preparing Military manuals, or if Microsoft
said only certified Technical Communicators are welcome... then it would
mean something. Without such an industry acceptance all that would happen
would be that the certification agency would get wealthy. However, there is
a quasi certification now in our business; more and more employers are
requiring four year degrees.
Thanks
stan
-----Original Message-----
From: Stephen C. Gillespie [mailto:sgillespie -at- FEDEX -dot- COM]
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 1998 8:42 AM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Re: certification
David, you have made a good point about the "diversity" (of backgrounds
and experiences) issue, but in MHO, it's a straw man, in that I don't
believe we'll EVER get the consensus that you claim is necessary (and
yes, it's prob NOT the in the best interests of our profession for STC
to be the sole arbiter!).
I acknowledge that, if we apply some standard education or experiential
requirement, yes, some "dinos" may be left in the cold...but again, I
believe that if you (as a technical communicator) have not exercised
your opportunities to remain current (read, get a TC or related degree,
etc.) or otherwise continued to grow professionally, then you're NOT as
capable (or marketable) as a GenX-er who has (BTW, I'm approaching 50,
went back to school at 30, and now have 3 degrees in comm).