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The "Perfect" Course of Study for a Technical Writer
Subject:The "Perfect" Course of Study for a Technical Writer From:Karen <ekarenski-techwrl -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:52:25 -0700 (PDT)
I was thinking what the "perfect" technical writing degree would consist of so that students would be the most marketable post-college. Then, I decided to ask what you could include in a list for a curriculum, certificate, or self-study to be prepared to enter or re-enter the job force. Obviously, the writing and communication skills are paramount; however, when I got my degree, the technology was not even available.
Here's my list:
Writing Coursework:
* English Composition/Grammar (all the complete basics)
* Technical Writing
- Policy and Procedures
- Manuals and User Guides
* Editing
* Scientific Writing
* Marketing Writing (Advertising/PR)
* Business Communication & Report Writing
* Learning Theory
Business Coursework:
* Marketing
* Small Business Ownership
* Business Analysis (Including UML and other diagramming of processes)
* Project Mananagement
Technology
* Microsoft Office (Including Access & Visio)
* Pure HTML, CSS, Javascript (not WYSIWYG)
* Introductory Programming (C++, Java, etc)
* Publishing (Structured FrameMaker)
* Web Development (Dreamweaver, Flash, etc)
* XML/DITA
* CBT/eLearning Tools (Captivate, Camtasia, Authorware, Director, Others???)
* Online Help Tools (such as RoboHelp, Help & Manual, AuthorIT)
* Graphics (Illustrator, etc)
Also, consider what you think new graduates are lacking when entering the work force.
Can anyone else contribute to this list?
Karen http://www.linkedin.com/in/ekarenbowen
Yahoo IM: ekarenbowen -at- yahoo -dot- com MSN IM: ekarenbowen -at- msn -dot- com AOL IM: ekarenmariebowen
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