Re: Degree

["Townsend,Emru" <etownsend -at- POSITRON -dot- QC -dot- CA>]

What you say is largely consistent with what I say.  A degree helps.  A
lot.  But it's not an absolute measure.

Somewhere out there is a complex mathematical formula where your degree,
your experience, and the degree to which you've proven your worth come
out to some sort of constant.  Without a degree, it may be harder to get
into management or what have you.  That just means having to work twice
as hard.  Many blacks, Hispanics, women, or [fill in minority group of
choice here] have known this for a long time: when you're at a
disadvantage, make up for it with bulletproof work.

It's not perfect, and it doesn't work for everyone, but neither does a
degree.

Let's just say that I've consistently produced work that kicks x amount
of ass, and a co-worker who started around the same time as me
consistently produced work that kicks 0.8*x amount of ass.  If I get
passed over for that co-worker, how long do you think I'll stay at that
company?

Meritocracy is where it's at.  If you don't give it to me, I move on --
'cause I've worked hard to make sure that someone will appreciate my
skills.

Emru Townsend
Technical Communication Warrior - Product Integration
Positron Public Safety Systems Inc.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
e-mail: etownsend -at- positron -dot- qc -dot- ca
My words are my own. Confuse them with my employer's at your own risk.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kristian Rickard [SMTP:K -dot- Rickard -at- TTACS -dot- TTU -dot- EDU]
> Sent: Friday, December 04, 1998 5:05 PM
> To:   TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject:      Re: Degree
>
> >>>>*In the time I've been here, I've seen this topic repeatedly die
> and
> come
> back to life like some undead monster.  I think it's incredibly clear
> that a
> degree helps considerably, but isn't a necessity.  How many more
> electrons
> have to die to make this point?<<<<
>
> I do not dispute the fact that a degree is not needed to get started
> in the
> field, but I wonder if there is a *ceiling* on Tech Writers/Tech
> Communicators if they do not have a degree.
>
> In other words, can those without degrees move into management (if
> they so
> desire)? Or since they do not have degrees, can they not? Or does it
> take
> longer to move into management, for instance? Does it take longer to
> *prove
> themselves* since they don't have a degree before they move into
> management,
> or does a degree help prove that they are capable for them? A degree
> is
> clearly not necessary, but does it become a necessity in order to
> *move
> up/forward* in the field?
>
> My hypothesis is that a degree, particularly an advanced degree does
> help
> tech writers/tech communicators move forward in their field...
>
> kristian
>
> **************
>
> Kristian Rickard
> Multimedia/Instructional Designer
> Texas Tech University
> College of Engineering
> Box 43103
> Lubbock, TX 79409-3103
> (806)742-3451
> K -dot- Rickard -at- ttu -dot- edu
>


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