Re: Degree

[Kristian Rickard <K -dot- Rickard -at- TTACS -dot- TTU -dot- EDU>]

>>>>*In the time I've been here, I've seen this topic repeatedly die and
come
back to life like some undead monster.  I think it's incredibly clear that a
degree helps considerably, but isn't a necessity.  How many more electrons
have to die to make this point?<<<<

I do not dispute the fact that a degree is not needed to get started in the
field, but I wonder if there is a *ceiling* on Tech Writers/Tech
Communicators if they do not have a degree.

In other words, can those without degrees move into management (if they so
desire)? Or since they do not have degrees, can they not? Or does it take
longer to move into management, for instance? Does it take longer to *prove
themselves* since they don't have a degree before they move into management,
or does a degree help prove that they are capable for them? A degree is
clearly not necessary, but does it become a necessity in order to *move
up/forward* in the field?

My hypothesis is that a degree, particularly an advanced degree does help
tech writers/tech communicators move forward in their field...

kristian

**************

Kristian Rickard
Multimedia/Instructional Designer
Texas Tech University
College of Engineering
Box 43103
Lubbock, TX 79409-3103
(806)742-3451
K -dot- Rickard -at- ttu -dot- edu

-----Original Message-----
From: Townsend,Emru <etownsend -at- POSITRON -dot- QC -dot- CA>
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU <TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU>
Date: Friday, December 04, 1998 3:56 PM
Subject: Re: Degree


>Sorry, Bill -- no degree here, either.  And the degree I was working on
>before I left university was a BFA (cinema/animation).
>
>It didn't stop me from getting hired within hours of my interview, nor did
>it hamper my later move to another company.  Y'know why?  Experience, and
>lots of it.  I had plenty of technical experience, I'd spent years teaching
>adults, I was a freelance writer, and I had a solid background in word
>processing and layout tools.  Combine the four and you get a technically
>adept writer who can distill and present information.
>
>Judging from the messages I've read here in the past year*, I'd say a fair
>amount of technical writers fall into this field from some other path that
>runs parallel.
>
>It would be unfair to many skilled fledglings if you were to look at the
>piece of paper and not the skills.  While the paper more or less guarantees
>a certain skill set, the lack of the paper doesn't necessarily disqualify
>someone.
>
>*In the time I've been here, I've seen this topic repeatedly die and come
>back to life like some undead monster.  I think it's incredibly clear that
a
>degree helps considerably, but isn't a necessity.  How many more electrons
>have to die to make this point?
>
>Emru Townsend
>Technical Communication Warrior - Product Integration
>Positron Public Safety Systems Inc.
>Montreal, Quebec, Canada
>e-mail: etownsend -at- positron -dot- qc -dot- ca
>My words are my own. Confuse them with my employer's at your own risk.
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: SCN User [SMTP:alfa33 -at- SCN -dot- ORG]
>> Sent: Friday, December 04, 1998 4:12 PM
>> To:   TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>> Subject:      Re: Degree
>>
>> Suzette,
>>
>> Please don't take my response the wrong way, but surely you must be the
>> exception to the rule in today's job market.  Credentialism is
everywhere.
>> For _MOST_ people, an undergraduate degree is an absolute requirement to
>> make the short list at the HR department.  In fact, some sort of graduate
>> degree is often required to make the cut.
>>
>> You've certainly done well for yourself, but I feel that it would be
>> unfair to the fledglings out there if we were to look upon your
>> particular situation as the norm.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Bill
>>
>
>
>From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000==
>
>


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