Members' Online Mentor

A Call to Action:
Help each other,
help yourself

The Problem

Recently, I attended the High-Tech Career Expo in Bellevue. I went on a scouting mission to see who was there, what companies were looking for in job candidates, and what the crowd was like. Company representatives were more friendly and eager to talk to me than the last time I'd attended one of these. But, this time, there were many signs saying "No Entry Level" on the job boards.

As I collected company information sheets (and a few free pens), I was greeted with a "Hi. Are you looking?" Or, "Hi. Can I tell you about our company?" When I mentioned I am a tech writer, I was greeted with enthusiastic responses. This was a vast improvement from before, when it seemed I was seriously imposing on the representatives' time.

Although there were abundant opportunities for me - an experienced tech writer - I saw no "foot-in-the-door" openings for those who have the desire and potential for the profession yet lack paid experience. Even those who have studied writing and communication, and perhaps even have some technical writing experience or classes, would have a hard time landing a job based on the requirements I read.

The lack of insight, foresight, and concern exhibited by so many otherwise smart and creative companies dismays me. The future is here, and there aren't enough "experienced" workers to meet the needs of the "computer industrial revolution." Where are employers going to turn as thousands of high-tech jobs go unfilled?

I've read that skilled workers have been imported from other countries. One of my managers said that company recruiters are now going into the high schools and recruiting kids in the classrooms! Some projects are now out-sourced right out of the country - for crying out loud!

Companies will do all this (and probably more), yet they won't give people who have the basic skills and desire in their own back yards a chance at those jobs. What's wrong with this picture? Companies need to get as creative with their HR efforts as they are with their business strategies. What could they do to help themselves?

The Solution

It does no one any good to be a crying Cassandra without offering some solutions to this problem. I can't influence HR policies alone. It takes group, sometimes grass-roots, efforts to affect systemic changes. In order to help the cause, I'm volunteering my time to write this column for Seattle Writergrrls (and anyone else who drops by to read it). I have a few ideas that I wanted to share today to get you readers thinking about solutions.

Volunteer to coach or mentor someone, or seek a mentor or a coach for yourself. It's time we begin to put these ideas to work on a daily basis: Connect, talk to each other, help each other. We've got a bunch of seasoned professionals in our membership. Explore other regional or national writing associations, too. There's a vibrant community of all sorts of writers and editors in the Puget Sound area.

Experienced tech writers can affect changes in employers' hiring decisions. Educate your employer about the value of bringing in a writer with basic skills. When there are openings in your department, ask if an entry-level or junior-level tech writer could fill the opening. It is an option, one which seems to go unrecognized by many of our local employers. There are many jobs and projects that a beginning writer could do.

As for companies, they could promote from within as a matter of policy. Give anyone inside the company who wants to move up or over into a new career the chance to do so. Provide the training and mentoring opportunities needed to guide current employees into new roles. The talent is already there...help it along.

By Geri Frick.
Geri Frick has worked as a technical communicator for over 15 years. Join her here next month for the next installment of Member's Online Mentor. Send Geri your ideas or questions at gerifrick@yahoo.com