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As I pointed out in my earlier post, I'm not a degree snob. But some of you are,
especially those of you without one <return snipe to Christine>.
I never said only "degreed" TW's are qualified. I said, having a degree makes me
feel like a legit TW. Technical communications is a discipline, same as
engineering, programming, graphic design, et al. Taking the courses helped me
understand the field better and has absolutely helped me win more projects.
Like most of you, I came to the field from another discipline -- I have a BA in
Radio/TV/Film. After being in TW for 5 yrs with a BA and losing good jobs/projects
to "real" TW's w/ formal training on their resumes, I quickly realized those people
had something I didn't, and the lack of a degree in the field was definitley
hampering my progress.
Further, when I made it clear to my employers and co-workers that I was working on
the Master's Degree in TC, I stopped receiving pushback on my hourly rate (which is
NOT low, BTW).
Credential count. I have them in bunches. I'm always looking for ways to earn more.
To all of you who bristle at the degree/certification thing, consider this:
Would you hire a programmer w/o a degree in systems?
Would you fly in a plane built by engineers w/ only "on the job training"?
Would you take your car to a non-certified mechanic?
No restaurant w/more than 3 stars employs a chef without a degree from a "real"
culinary institute, preferably from the Culinary Institute of America.
Just wondering. Not griping.
janet
CHRISTINE ANAMEIER wrote:
> I do not "profess" to be a tech writer. I AM a tech writer... with a degree in
> English lit and a longstanding interest in technology. Anyone who disrespects me
> for not having a TC degree (and you'd be the first, Janet) is focusing on the
> wrong thing.
>
> When you go to a restaurant, do you barge into the kitchen and demand to know
> where the chefs learned their trade? Or do you judge them by the quality of the
> dish they serve you?
>
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