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I suggested to Melanie that she might show how to improve an
existing piece, to show off her skills in recognizing both the
good and bad in a short document of her choice. However,
volunteer work is a great way to show your motivation, and I
still do it occasionally when I want to donate my time to a good
cause. It sharpens your skills, gives you a chance to try new
things, is usually free of pressure, and it adds value to your
portfolio.
Melanie, some of your other writing clips (the non-technical
stuff) are also important in your portfolio, and I think with
your background you'll have no problems changing careers.
Betsy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Campbell, Art [mailto:artc -at- NORTHCHURCH -dot- NET]Mel
> Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 3:53 PM
> Subject: Re: Creating Samples
>
>
> The answer to your question is that they're all around you
> -- just go to a
> computer
> or appliance store. ;-)
>
> HOWEVER... if it was me interviewing you and looking over
> your portfolio,
> I'd be
> more impressed by original work done from the beginning.
> I'd suggest that
> you find
> a community group you like and offer to do a www site,
> procedural guide, or
> brochures;
> do a help system for a hobby or a piece of software you
> already own; contact
> a few
> companies you're interested in working for and offer to do
> an internship for
> the experience
> and the samples.
>
> Art
>
> Art Campbell
> Technical Publications
> Northchurch Communications
> Five Corporate Drive
> Andover, MA 01810
> 978 691-6344
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Melanie Shook [mailto:melshook -at- EARTHLINK -dot- NET]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 5:58 PM
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Creating Samples
>
>
> I'm new to tech writing and need more samples for my
> portfolio. Does
> anyone know where I can find some poorly written, short
> user manuals I
> can re-write and use for writing samples?
>
> Any response appreciated.
>
> Melanie Shook
> melshook -at- earthlink -dot- net
>
