Re: Am I qualified to become an entry-level tech communicator?

[Wes Tracy <wtracy -at- IU -dot- NET>]

Robert,

It looks to me like you have a great basis for an entry level Tech Writer.  You
might even want to try to decide what interests you more and try to beef that
up.  Generally, at least in my experience, employers are looking for one or two
strong application skills, and have one or two others that a familiarization of
would also be helpful.  Around here (Florida), the skills I see people seeking
most are FrameMaker, RoboHELP, and Word.  HTML is also growing fast, but
usually as one of those "also" skills that employers are looking for.  Still,
it's good to have and, in the not-too-distant future, it could be what
separates you from the rest of the pack.  Anyway, it sounds like you have a
great start and, with your foundation and drive, you should pass quickly
through the "entry-level" stage.  Good Luck.

Wes Tracy
<wtracy -at- spacey -dot- net>
Technical Writing Consultant

Robert Heath wrote:

> A number of days ago, one of the messages here ended with the quote "I
> can draw a cube! I'm an engineer!" and the author of the message wrote
> after it something like "For those who say, 'I can write a sentence!
> I'm a technical writer!'"  The quote caused me to step back and look
> at my own qualifications as one attempting to become a technical
> communicator.  Now I would like to know if, after reading about what I
> know and can do, any of you seasoned pros would tell me whether I am
> just shouting at employers, "I can draw a cube!" I'm not trying to
> post my resume; I'm only seeking advice.
> Currently, I am an English teacher in South Korea, winding up a
> two-year contract with a technical university in the city of Taejon. I
> have spent a total of four years in Taejon as a teacher, and I believe
> my interpersonal skills are now more than adequate to the task of
> interviewing engineers and others.
> For the past year, I have been learning and playing with HTML, and
> recently have learned the basics of DHTML, XML, CSS, and JavaScript. I
> have purchased and learned to use FrameMaker, PageMaker, Word and
> Excel 97, Allaire HomeSite 3.0, Dreamweaver, Visual Basic 5.0 (well,
> the rudiments of this one), and a couple of others.
> As for writing and publishing, I have written two pamphlets for my
> school with PageMaker, a short manual in FrameMaker (my first, and it
> is not very good; a review of it showed me how not to write a manual),
> and several technical memos explaining how to use Word 97 and
> PageMaker (I used FrameMaker and Word for them).  I have also taught
> myself copyediting, basic publishing and computer terminology, and
> have read Technical Editing by Judith Tarutz.
> I have set up a web site which has DHTML photo album and several other
> DHTML and Javacript features, though nothing very advanced. I've also
> created an online portfolio with samples of my writing in PDF format.
> Finally, I have become a member of STC, joined several SIGs, read the
> magazine avidly.
> Have I done enough to be an entry-level technical communicator? If
> not, what else should I do or be doing?
> Robert Heath
>
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