When evaluating various future
endeavors and the way that technical writing fits in, I wanted to also consider
law school acceptances. This is because I very much plan to attend law school
directly after I finish my undergraduate degree. However, I have been looking
at various big law schools, knowing that the requirements are as strenuous as
any entry-level job. For this assignment, I chose to evaluate the Ivy League
schools to demonstrate how technical writing can prepare someone even for
something so notably exclusive as Yale or Cornell. Johnson-Eilola notes,
“rearticulating technical communication in post-industrial terms provides a
common ground between academic and corporate models of technical communication,
which are notoriously disparate.” I think this very much articulates the
purpose of highly ranked law schools. Occupations in the legal field are
exceptionally reliant on bridging the gap between academic and corporate models
of technical communication. A legal professional has to be able to effectively
communicate both in political, legal, and laymen’s terms. Proficiency in
language is tantamount.
The acceptance rates of the top ten
law schools vary between 4 and 19 percent, with all of them relying heavily on
three major factors. Those three major factors are as follows: GPA, LSAT score,
and personal statement. PSU provides a wonderful learning environment with
stimulating classes and personalized interaction with faculty. Because of these
incredible offerings, I have been fortunate enough to maintain a 4.0 in both my
English and GIT majors (cumulative 3.90 because general education is definitely
not a strength of mine). This is a major factor when law schools consider
individuals. The second factor is the LSAT score. The LSAT consists mainly of
reading, writing, and analytical/critical thinking skills- all vital to the English
degree. Although I have not taken the LSAT, this puts me in a very solid
position to perform- provided that I study. Finally, the personal statement is
where decisions are truly made. When a vast sea of students with impeccable
scores all apply to the same school, said school will begin evaluating the
personal statement. The key to writing an excellent personal statement is a
combination of wit, rhetoric, personality- and flawless writing skills. What is
honestly sad is that I likely stand a better chance of being admitted into a
good law school than I do getting an entry-level position anywhere. I am a
little more useless when it comes to non-academic rigor.
The first “real job” I found was a
technical writing position in Seattle, WA. Personally, I would have no issue
relocating for a few years or even more. This particular job is a consulting
agency. The skills necessary are partly there for me. It calls for technical
writing experience, but does not clarify if that is referring to work
experience or if internships and collegiate experience work as well (either
way). I know a little bit of the
computer skills they need, but I definitely feel like I do not have everything
they are looking for. Considering that the job is $85k, I can imagine more
qualified applicants will apply. However, I do think I could at least provide a
convincing argument for my ability to learn the required skills quickly.
The second job is one I would
legitimately apply for if I were to go to law school in Massachusetts. In
Canton, Softrax is seeking a technical writer with experience in software
documentation- something I would be perfect for with a second degree in digital
media (technology). The listed skills involve working well with others and
creativity- things that I would be good at- as well as several softwares that I
am comfortable with. With an estimated salary of $55-80k, this would be beyond
ideal.
As far as working within these
fields, I really loved Sopensky’s words, “Complex systems give rise to simple
behavior. Simple systems give rise to simple behavior.”
I feel like I especially have
learned that in classes as an undergraduate. When faced with daunting tasks, it
always helps to respond in a simple way. Almost all of my major successes have
come from simplifying a complicated task, and many of my failures have
generated from complicating a simple task. Regardless, I feel prepared by my
undergraduate and am excited for what lies ahead.
Johndan
Johnson-Eilola, “Relocating the Value of Work: Technical Communication In
a Post-IndustrialAge”Sherry G. Southard, “Interacting Successfully
in Corporate Culture”Emily Soplinsky, “Survival Skills for Communicators
within Organizations”