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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by joslynn on August 14, 2006, at 16:18:45
What is a low to medium stress job where I could use my writing and editing skills?
So far, every job I have had that uses these skills is HIGH stress.
I am also a good listener, empathetic, comfortable with computers (though certainly not a programmer!) and diplomatic. I work well under pressure mentally, but emotionally, it takes its toll.
Maybe I should be a librarian.
Posted by llrrrpp on August 15, 2006, at 8:52:35
In reply to looking for low to medium stress job, posted by joslynn on August 14, 2006, at 16:18:45
Perhaps you could work in a church office, or for a nonprofit agency helping them assemble newsletters, press releases and the like. Also, you may be a good tutor for high school and college students who need help with writing assignments.
-ll
Posted by octopusprime on August 20, 2006, at 11:17:15
In reply to looking for low to medium stress job, posted by joslynn on August 14, 2006, at 16:18:45
I would go with technical writing or technical editing in a very large company with several writers and editors. It's a toss-up about whether editing or writing would be less stressful, but generally I would say that technical editors have it easier. Editors get more downtime and are not responsible for content ideas, but are overloaded immediately before deadlines. Writers have to try to pry information out of busy people that don't want to talk to them and pull content out of thin air, and they also get to deal with the flurry of changes immediately before a deadline.
Some people would still find this stressful though, as ultimately it is deadline driven and corporate politics can be very hurtful. Plus you need to be able to interact with a lot of different people, accept criticism well, and concentrate for medium to long stretches of time.
On the bright side, if you specialize in a particular technology or niche you can be quite well-paid, have excellent benefits, and most often work a reasonable work week. Being able to pay your bills reliably and to visit a good shrink on a fat insurance plan is a big stress reliever.
Ultimately, there is no such thing as a documentation emergency. Nobody will die and you can always post an update to the web.
the only problem I see with being a librarian is the stress of trying to get a job in the first place (you'd have to go to school, quite possibly take out loans, and then participate in a competitive hiring process) and then deal with the low salary.
Posted by Wildflower on August 24, 2006, at 20:27:37
In reply to looking for low to medium stress job, posted by joslynn on August 14, 2006, at 16:18:45
> What is a low to medium stress job where I could use my writing and editing skills?
>
> So far, every job I have had that uses these skills is HIGH stress.
>
> I am also a good listener, empathetic, comfortable with computers (though certainly not a programmer!) and diplomatic. I work well under pressure mentally, but emotionally, it takes its toll.
>
> Maybe I should be a librarian.After reading your post, I sat for a while thinking about possible jobs. Unfortunately, I do not believe that there is such a thing as a low-medium stress job. I think the stress comes not entirely from the job but in the way you deal with situations and those around you.
I think I'd "find" some way to be stressed out even if I were a bartender on a beach in some tropical paradise. ;-)
This is the end of the thread.
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