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Subject:Re: Programming??? From:Sheridan-Smith John <john -dot- sheridan-smith -at- BMWFIN -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 8 Jun 1999 13:16:54 +0100
Programming knowledge and experience can be of great value to someone
wishing to be employed as a tech writer. Very few (none in my experience)
employers would regard programming experience as a demerit. A colossal
number regard lack of programming experience as adequate grounds for
rejecting a talented and experienced software technical author.
Whether time spent on acquiring such knowledge is a good investment for
someone aspiring to be a GOOD tech writer is more debatable.
If you can acquire a substantial knowledge of a number of programming
languages it will enable you to greatly extend the number of jobs open to
you but IMO, unless programming interests you for its own sake, your time
and effort would be better spent on developing skills and knowledge in more
specifically tech writing areas (eg authoring tools, help development
techniques and approaches to structuring) and on job searching targeted at
employers who understand and value the skills of a dedicated professional
tech writer.
Regards
John
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John -dot- Sheridan-Smith -at- BMWFIN -dot- COM
