The secret of technical writing success?

[Robart, Kay]

Technical writer is an option or science writer. This is one reason why,
when I was in college, most schools encouraged freshmen and sophomores
to take a variety of courses--because they didn't expect people that age
to know what they wanted to do. I don't think he has to declare his
major right away. He should enroll in a college or university where he
can take a range of courses and decide in a year or two. If he wants to
look for a school that has a technical writing major (or science writing
courses) then he can try those courses without necessarily deciding
right away.

________________________________

From: bounce-stc-austin-general-73810 at lists.stc.org
[mailto:bounce-stc-austin-general-73810 at lists.stc.org] On Behalf Of
Karen Kay
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 9:07 PM
To: STC Austin Discussion List
Subject: [stc-austin-general] The secret of technical writing success?


I got a phone call from my sister today. Her son is 17 and looking at
colleges and majors and so on, and the other day, he said to a friend of
his that he wished he could find something to do that where he could
combine his interest in science with writing. My brother-in-law, bless
his heart, said to talk to Aunt Karen. 

I'm not sure what to tell him. I feel very strongly that what you major
in doesn't determine what you do with your life--heck, I was an
undergraduate double major in French and German, then did graduate
degrees in linguistics and the history of Japanese language. And now I'm
writing about computer chips! All the writers I know well came to
technical writing indirectly. I don't know anyone who decided to be a
technical writer in high school and who directed their education in the
path. 

To complicate matters, one of the difficulties my nephew is facing is
that he is enormously talented in almost every area. I know that sounds
like auntly bragging, but in this case, it's true. He could be an actor,
a musician, a math weenie, a newspaper editor... Or a technical writer. 

So.... What kind of education would you recommend? My suggestion was a
technical education in whatever area he decides on. What do you think?
What would you tell someone who is 17 and thinking about choosing your
profession? 

Karen
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