The secret of technical writing success?

[Jill Bartel]

My two cents:

Fortunately today more colleges offer degree programs in technical 
communications.  If going this route, I would suggest choosing a program 
that has a heavy science component -- not one through the journalism 
department.  My degrees, both Bachelors, are in geology and technical 
communications.  I've discovered in my technical writing career it's not so 
important which science you specialize in, but rather that you have the 
background to more easily grasp science and technology concepts.  You don't 
come across as "just a writer" to the scientists and engineers.  And even 
though you may not be directly using your science background, it helps your 
writing and editing.  Case in point:  After I left college I couldn't do a 
calculus problem if my life depended on it, but I could tell if one was set 
up correctly by the typist or typesetter.  This kind of knowledge helps give 
you credibility.

Good luck to your nephew!


>From: "Karen Kay" <karen.kay at gmail.com>
>Reply-To: "Karen Kay" <karen.kay at gmail.com>
>To: "STC Austin Discussion List" <stc-austin-general at lists.stc.org>
>Subject: [stc-austin-general] The secret of technical writing success?
>Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2007 21:07:15 -0500
>
>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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