atw: Re: Who says that we are not perceived to be glorified secretaries?

I once designed a course to be conducted by me at the Council of Adult
Education in Melbourne.  It was an introduction to technical writing
(I've forgotten the exact name now) and was designed as a background to
the field for both potential new TWs and for recruitment consultants.
It covered things like how to get into TW, the personal and practical
skills required, the courses available, the qualifications, the
specialisations (industry sectors, products etc) etc.

The CAE circulated all the recruitment agencies they and I knew of, as
well as doing all their normal advertising.  The course was cancelled
(three times, for each of three semesters) through lack of takers.

I still think that we have to take some kind of responsibility for
educating the recruiters, but I have no idea how to get them interested.
We all know the delight of dealing with a consultant who understands our
role compared to one who does not.  I suppose there should be some kind
of financial incentive - like the greater success level of knowledgeable
cf ignorant recruiters, but I wonder if the figures would show what we
want even if they were available.

Christine

> -----Original Message-----
> From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=20
> [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of bja
> Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 12:00 PM
> To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: atw: Re: Who says that we are not perceived to be=20
> glorified secretaries?
>=20
>=20
> It's not scary Michael(EG), just naive.
>=20
> I wonder if the successful applicant will make the coffees as=20
> well and clean up after sales meetings et al. as many PAs do?
>=20
> The last one of these combined roles was in Oct/Nov 2003 (if=20
> I remember correctly), and a query to the agency confirmed=20
> that the recruiter knew nothing of our profession or what we=20
> do, thus the error.
>=20
> I guess Luke Van Der Wielen (from the offending agency, Elan)=20
> has the same level of knowledge or interest. This is=20
> disappointing because I always thought Agencies were there to=20
> advise their clients not just be the blind leading the blind=20
> as so often happens.
>=20
> Cheers,
>=20
> Bruce Ashley
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
>=20
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of=20
> Michael Edward=20
> > Granat
> > Sent: Wednesday, 17 March 2004 11:25 AM
> > To: austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Subject: atw: Who says that we are not perceived to be glorified=20
> > secretaries?
> >
> >
> > Scary.
> >
> > >Title:           Technical Writer / PA
> > >Location:        Melbourne
> > >Advertiser:      Elan IT - Melbourne
> > >Date Posted:     16-03-2004
> > >Description:     Roll will suite talented individual with
> > strong technical
> > >writing and administration skills, be savvy would be an advantage.=20
> > >Get the full details of this job, here :=20
> > >http://it.seek.com.au/showjob.asp?jobid=3D3416241
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Michael Granat -- Write Ideas*
> >
> > Plain English Technical Communication.
> > Advertising Copywriting.
> > Business Writing.
> >
> > E-mail:         writeideas@xxxxxxxx
> > Web Site:               <http://home.pacific.net.au/~megranat/>
> >
> > *Trading As business #0828673K
> >   Registered (1987) Corporate Affairs Victoria, Australia.
> >
> > WITHOUT PREJUDICE
> >
> > E & OE
> >
> > **************************************************
> > To post a message to austechwriter, send the message to=20
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>=20
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>=20
> To subscribe to austechwriter, send a message to=20
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>=20
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