Starting as a Certified and Inexperienced Writer
From StcWiki
A common theme in technical communication is how to get a foot-in-the-door job "when employers are only looking for experience." This can be frustrating for students or transitioning professionals who are looking for such experience but can't find an opportunity to get it. This page proposes some ideas from people who have been there.
[edit] Build your local network
Get involved in your local STC community or other similar organizations such as IEEE, ACM, or even Toastmasters would be good. The reasoning being you make contacts this way and have a better chance of being hired by someone who knows you (unless you become known as someone to avoid -- let's hope that doesn't happen).
[edit] Build a portfolio
If you are out of school, presumably you have work from your course you can show people. If so, compile it into a portfolio, and then build on it by initiating your own documentation projects. Some great additions to a portfolio can come from volunteer work, open-source projects (always in need of skilled writers), or even a polished product of your own based on a hobby activity -- anything that shows the caliber of what you are capable of doing.
[edit] Question Your Trainers
Be sure to ask your trainers what they recommend, for example avenues to pursue or people to contact.
If you didn't get this information and have since left, go back to the folks who taught your course and get some ideas from them. Encourage them to include this topic in future sessions of the course.
