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
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ComponentOne Doc-To-Help gives you everything you need to author and
publish quality Help, Web, and print content. Perfect for technical
authors, developers, and policy writers. Download a FREE trial.
http://www.componentone.com/DocToHelp/

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-

To unsubscribe send a blank email to
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.


Follow-Ups:

Previous by Author: Re: Poll: Is technical writing a sellout or fallback career?
Next by Author: Re: Input wanted about online certificate programs
Previous by Thread: Need some assistance with Word, maybe Find and Replace?
Next by Thread: Re: The "Perfect" Course of Study for a Technical Writer


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads