Re: Question: Market for Technical Writing

[Anthony Markatos <tonymar -at- HOTMAIL -dot- COM>]

Sella Rush said (in response a listserv request for tech comm career
advice):

To Ed Gomez's friend:

I'd recommend signing up for this list for a while.  I think we present a
pretty accurate picture of the tech comm industry and the day-to-day
concerns of tech writers.  We tend to get extremes, but there are also
plenty of practical, middle-road posts.

Tony Markatos responds:

If I was considering a career move (into any field -- not just tech comm),
the main thing that I would what is a clear and concise understanding of
"What is the REAL key to success in this field".

Yes I would also be interested in how the typical X (technical communicator
in this case) actually spends his/her day.  But knowing this is does not
help alot.  Reason why: In any field (tech comm including) ninety eight
percent (98%) of all people are minimialists: they are not there to make a
significant impact -- they are just "along for the ride".

For career planning, the MAIN thing that I want to know is "What does it
take to excel?" -- not "What does it take to be mediocre?"  I want to know
this irregardless of whether I plan on exceling or just being mediocre.

Notes:

1.) Discovering the REAL key to success is very difficult.  You will not
discover it by reading books or listserv postings.  Authors either do not
know this themselves, or (because of their own shortcomings), are too
embarrassed to state it.

2.) The REAL key to success in any field can be stated in one sentence.

3.) The REAL key to success is ninety eight percent (98%) of what NEEDS to
be done.

Tony Markatos
(tonymar -at- hotmail -dot- com)



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