From: aba@hp835.mitek.com (Binion Amerson)
Subject: Re: technical writing jobs???
Organization: OpenConnect Systems, Dallas, TX
Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1992 12:36:16 GMT

In article <1992Jul21.172056.149621@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu> en01@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (EUGINA M. NOVAK) writes:
>Hi!  I wonder if anyone out there could offer some advice?  I currently work
>as a research associate studying lakes in PA.  After 1 1/2 years, I've
>discovered that research is not my calling.  It no longer creates enthusiasm
>for me.  During this time, however, I have taken a few writing courses (I've
>always enjoyed writing) and discovered that I adore it.  From reading postings
>here on the net, I gather that writing in general doesn't prove very
>lucrative.  I'd like to make a career change and I'm considering technical
>writing.  While I don't want to be the person actually executing the research,
>I think I could definitely write about it--methods, results, discussion, etc.
>Through the course of my current job, I've written protocols, instructions for
>volunteer monitors, a brochure, and numerous letters, proposals and
>agreements.  Unfortunately, my supervisor bogs me down with research more than
>writing and I'm going bonkers.  My questions are:
>    what types of technical writing are available?
>    What are the prospects of obtaining a writing position?
>    What salary range do technical writers usually receive?
>    What experience or requirements tend to be accepted?
>    If you currently work as a technical writer, what does a typical day
>    entail for you and are you happy with your position?
>I have an M.S. in biology (actually ecology) and would like to stay in the
>environmental/ecology/wildlife field.  Any suggestions or comments?  Please
>e-mail me at en01@lehigh.edu.  Thanks!
>--Gina Novak
>  (en01@lehigh.edu)

Gina:

I too have an M.S. in Biology (Systematics and Ecology) and worked for years
as a field biologist conducting research and writing and publishing the
results as monographs, scientific papers, and environmental impact statements.
When a past president did way with many of the environmental protection agency
rules and regulations, I and many like myself had to find new jobs.  I turned
to doing what I knew best--technical writing and editing.

I began writing for the computer industry.  I quickly learned of the Society
for Technical Communication (STC), a nonprofit professional educational 
organization for writers of technical, scientific, and medical material.  STC
now has some 16,000 members in over 125 chapters worldwide.  For information,
write or call the Society office:

   Society for Technical Communication
   901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 304
   Arlington, VA 22203-1822
   Phone: 703/522-4114

The Society office has several brochures, among them "About STC" and "Careers
in Technical Communication."  There are three STC chapters in Pennsylvania:
Delaware Valley Chapter in Philadelphia; Pittsburgh Chapter in Pittsburgh; and
the Carnegie Mellon University Student Chapter in Pittsburgh.  If you need
contacts at those chapters, let me know via E-Mail.

As to your specific questions, STC through its newsletter, Intercom, and
quarterly journal, Technical Communication, publishes a periodic job survey
and articles on various aspects of technical communication.  A visit to a local
chapter meeting will give you first hand knowledge.

Good luck.

Binion Amerson
General Manager, 40th STC Annual Conference
-- 
 Binion Amerson, Senior Technical Writer, OpenConnect Systems, Inc., 2033 
 Chennault Dr., Carrollton, Texas 75006; 214/308-0447; aba@hp835.mitek.com
 General Manager: 40th STC Annual Conference, June 6-9, 1993,  Dallas, TX