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Bill Hartzer said "Tools and techniques are easy to
pick up; it's getting to know your subject that's more difficult."
I have to add that one of the things that I find the most frustrating as a manager are Technical Writers who can't write, which in my opinion, is the first and foremost skill a Tech Writer needs.
After that, an aptitude for technical things (i.e. whatever they're going to write about) is helpful. Tools can be pretty easily taught on the job if necessary; techniques can also be learned on the job if there are more senior Tech Writers in the company (which is not always the case, especially here in India).
I personally have an engineering degree but always liked to write. I picked up the tools and practices on the job and through lists like this one.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Hartzer [SMTP:BHartzer -at- cha-systems -dot- com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 1999 10:09 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: RE: Your opinion needed re: Best Tech. Writing Programs
Regarding the "Best" Technical Writing Programs:
I know there are a LOT of "new" technical writing programs out there,
and having gone through this recently (I graduated in 1992 if that's
recent),
you might be interested in knowing that to do well as a technical writer
it's not really necessary to have graduated from a Technical Writing School
or a school that offers a Technical Writing program.
In many cases, it matters _more_ if you know "what you're writing about"
than
if you specifically know the technical writing tools and techniques. Once
you
graduate and have your degree, it's pretty easy to pick up the necessary
technical writing tools and techniques. However, you will do better if
you're
an expert in the field that you're writing about.
Personally, I graduated with a BA in English, and ended up being a Technical
Writer in the computer software industry. Tools and techniques are easy to
pick
up; it's getting to know your subject that's more difficult.
Hope this helps,
Bill Hartzer
Technical Writer/Webmaster
CHA Systems, Inc.
"You should be famous tomorrow! Visit www.iwannabefamous.com today!"
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