I have had times when I felt this way. But you know what, at those times I asked around and I was not the only feeling that way, even developers can feel that way at times too! Different projects, different PMs, different days of the week..can all lead one to feel a bit frustrated and undervalued.
You just have to prove yourself and not be afraid of being annoying if that is what it takes to get a document completed. Also in my experience, the people that do not value you..probably do not value anyone but those whose butts they can kiss and themselves! The rest of the people do value you..they just may be too busy to show it! I worked at a small software house for three years and was always getting documentation up to the minute the software had to be delivered..so I definitely feel your pain! My advice...hang in there...keep coming to these mailing lists where you learn A LOT and everyone values technical writers! Most importantly, value yourself and the work you do..do not let the feeling of being undervalued affect your work! Finally..learn the value of a short walk on a short break! It works WONDERS!!!! Happy Holidays and hang in there!!! Melissa > From: raj_gree...@hotmail.com > To: tcp@techcommpros.com > Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 11:57:28 +0530 > Subject: [TCP] Is technical writing worth the hype and pain? > > > At times, I wonder why technical writers are the least common denominators in > a software company. For example, if I submit a document for review, people > schedule it for the last few hours of a business day. This amply explains the > 'importance' given to that task. Moreover, I have to work with arrogant > developers, testers, SMEs, and managers, who don't care a damn about the > information needs of technical writers. There is also an absurd level of > "technical apartheid" that at times gives a really wretched feeling. Since a > majority of the technical writers have no programming background or releavant > domain knowledge, people find it very easy to dismiss them as irrelevant > irritants. Ultimately, the conclusion that I can arrive at is that this is a > ridiculous and thankless job. Do you agree? > > > > Raj > > _________________________________________________________________ > Windows 7: Find the right PC for you. Learn more. > http://windows.microsoft.com/shop > ______________________________________________ > ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing > solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML > and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. > www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ > > > Interactive 3D Documentation > Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com > _______________________________________________ > > Technical Communication Professionals > > Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. > > Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: > http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com > Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com > Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com > > Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com > > Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com ______________________________________________ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email t...@techcommpros.com. Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-subscr...@techcommpros.com Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to tcp-unsubscr...@techcommpros.com Need help? Contact listad...@techcommpros.com Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
