Techwriting Prestige -Reply

Subject: Techwriting Prestige -Reply
From: Carol Van Natta <CVANNATT -at- ITC -dot- NRCS -dot- USDA -dot- GOV>
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 07:09:29 -0700

Depends on where you go, I think. In one local company I've
heard about from friends, tech. writers are told they're a
essential part of the team, but somehow they always get
ignored until the last minute and are considered
troublemakers if they complain. Where I am now, it depends
on the writer -- good writers are respected and valued, bad
writers are tolerated until they can be maneuvered into
leaving (this is the gov't., after all). In general, though, I find I
don't have to explain what I do ("you're a technical what?") as
often any more.

>>> Melonie Holliman <mrh -at- abmdata -dot- com> 1/28/98 6:55
am >>>
Howdy,

A post got me thinking about programmers vs. techwriters in
the
prestige area. A few years ago it seemed like techwriters
were
really fighting for ANY prestige. Now, maybe I am biased
because
of my own situation, but it certainly seems like techwriters
are
at least on par with programmers. In fact, good tech writers
are harder to come by around here. Many make more than
programmers
(which are easier to find). Hard-core engineers seem to still
be
held in higher esteem by the powers-that-be, but tech writers
are
starting to be lumped in with the "valued" members of a
team.
(I could say something snotty here about corporate attitudes,
but
will jovially refrain from debasing myself.)

Is my perception skewed or are we climbing the corporate
ladder
in perceived worth? Do many of you still feel like you fight to
be recognized as a professional?

I was just wondering.


Melonie Holliman
The Tech Writer
ABM Data Systems, Inc.
Austin, TX
(mrh -at- abmdata -dot- com)

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