Re: Non-technical, Technical Writes - Vent on the Flip Side

[Carol Anne Wall <mmpc0014 -at- PCLINK -dot- COM>]

How about the flip side of the coin?

I can write online help, procedure manuals, technical documentation, etc.
People rave about my work; it's detailed, accurate, and on-time!  I even
have great rapport with programmers!!!   (hee-hee!)  But I can't break into
"real" technical writing field because:

1)   I'm lacking a degree in English or Technical Communication, and
2)   I've never had the title "Technical Writer"

It doesn't matter that I have 10+ years of experience, and that everything
I've learned I've done on my own.  And it doesn't matter that I'm looking
in Master's degree programs in Technical Communication and hope to enroll
in 2000 when I have enough money saved up for the tuition.

We have an opening here in our Tech Writing department.  I've created a
killer portfolio and a resume that highlights my talents.  Heck, I even won
a local award with one of the online systems I've developed for this
company.  But I expect that I'll get rejected by HR because I don't have
the right degree (it's in Natural Science).  I AM circumventing HR by
giving my materials directly to the supervisor of the area.  But they still
have to go through HR.

I keep plugging away, looking for an opportunity here at home.  Hoping
someday I'll find a prospective employer who will look at my experience and
skill, not my title or degree.

Thanks for letting me vent a bit!

Carol Anne
Carol Anne Wall
Marketing Systems Analyst
Minnesota Mutual Life - Individual Business Technology
St. Paul, MN  USA
mmpc0014 -at- pclink -dot- com