Re: Technical Writing Certifications

[Jay Maechtlen <techwriter -at- covad -dot- net>]

John Posada wrote:
>>> The reason certifications are popular is that it allows the employer
>>> to, from a distance, cut out anyone who is not fully qualified without
>>> incurring legal liability. It's a poor method of doing so. The wiser
> 
> I see a different purpose for certification.
> 
> Certification defines a complete set of skills that makes you a "top level, handle-whatever-is-given" tech writer.
> 
> There are many writers out there that are looking for a list of skills that they should study. They post those questions to the lists. Think of certification as a skills shopping list.
> 
> Another purpose is, certification is probably of not much use for those who are content to write, which is probably 75% of the writers out there. However, if you are lookikng to manage a group;, you are hit with so may required skills other than writing, that certification give you a leg up on those skills. 
>  
> John Posada
> Senior Technical Writer
>  
I'd think that the management/leadership portion could be a separate
cert from techwriting.

The parallel with engineering (merely degreed vs. licensed PE) is
interesting.
(speaking as a one who is degreed but not licensed)

Regards
Jay

-- 
Jay Maechtlen
techpubs -at- covad -dot- net
626 444-5112 office
626 840-8875 cell

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