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.
Like you I went from English degree, to Tech writing. I went back for my MA
because I wanted to teach college level writing. Unfortunately I was
disillusioned by the job market.
I could find community colleges willing to hire me for one or two courses a
semester (ESL, tech writing, English 101), but these jobs were temporary,
had no benefits, and the pay was extremely low. Most instructors worked for
three or four colleges at a time to make ends meet. Plus, the competition
for these jobs was high; a comm college dept. head told me it was a buyers
market, and people with PhD's were vying for the same positions as MA grads
(guess who got hired).
On the bright side, your "real world" tech writing experience will be a
definite plus should you teach writing. But the PhD is what will get you a
full time or tenured position.
