TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Who says you're entitled to your dream job with no experience? Make some
long term plans, figure out what exactly it is you want, and then, instead
of expecting someone to hand it to you right off the bat, start looking
around for some stepping stones. Figure out where you need to go to get
where you want. Most important for your circumstance, try to figure out how
you might work your current job into that plan. (Maybe you could get away
with several 1-year stints, but 4 months, 8 months, and now 4 months again
is really pushing it.)
And don't think you're the only one who has to push for work or for insight
into the bigger picture. I've heard the same lament on this list many
times, and sometimes from myself. Realize that many people have a hard time
categorizing what a tech writer is and does. If you want to rise in your
company, you need to take responsibility for educating people on what you
can do, and for ferreting out the big picture. Based the added
responsibility at your past job, you probably do a good job at finding work.
But sometimes it's harder to get hold of than usual.
Sella Rush mailto:sellar -at- apptechsys -dot- com
Applied Technical Systems (ATS)
Bremerton, Washington
Developers of the CCM Database
