Re: finding a job wit

[Robert Heath <robert -dot- heath -at- FRITZ -dot- COM>]

At 12:27 PM 5/11/99 -0700, Karen wrote:
>hello all
>
>I am a university student and I am finding it hard to get a technical
>writing job because i do not have any experience.  How am I supposed to
>get experience if nobody will give me a chance?  Does anyone have any
>suggestions?
>

During the year before I found my current (and first) tech writing job, I
taught English in a private school in Korea. Though my boss there did not
ask me to do so, I wrote for my coteachers instructions on how to use the
new software the school had purchased, and I wrote a series introducing
them to the basics of HTML. In the process, I learned how to use FrameMaker
and PageMaker, which I had bought for myself. I used the documents for a
portfolio that, combined with my web experience (don't neglect to learn
HTML and put up even a basic web site!), got me noticed by my present
employer.

I am sure that you could find on your campus or department many procedures
to document. How about a guide to class registration? Or maybe a guide to
your department for students new to your major? Or even frivolous topics
like "How to Find and Purchase a Snack in the Student Union"?

Get the software and write. Learn HTML and publish to the Web. These are
not guarantees, of course. You may also want to take some classes in
writing or, if you seek work in the computer industry, programming.

Cheers,
Robert
***************************
Robert Heath
Technical Writer
Fritz Companies, Inc.
San Francisco, CA


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