IGT Technical Writer reviews

Pay is lower than similar positions.

Tech Writers: Consider Yourself Warned After half a decade of service, I have learned this about being a tech writer at IGT: 1. You are a second-class citizen here. Let me repeat that: YOU DON’T MATTER. Management understands that writers are a dime a dozen, and they can replace you in a heartbeat. The techy people are the gods, and you must kowtow to them at all times. In fact, most everyone else at the company (except the people on the manufacturing floor) will also outrank you (you must follow what they tell you to do). 2. You have to beg for resources (computers, systems, software: all the things you need to just do your job). Techy people get all of the resources (tech, team building, training, conferences – even the fun stuff like parties and tee-shirts). 3. In an effort to keep you like a mushroom the tech writing group’s management (from the lowest management on up to the very top of management) will lie to you about: a. Raises (you will always get the very minimum percentage). You’re just not important to management. b. Promotions (you almost have to threaten to quit before management will promote you –management always find some ambiguous reason for why you’re “not promotable” [speaking ability, professional dress, demeanor, likability, not able to work well with others, too many kids’ doctor appointments, education, certifications, - you name it – as long as it’s “management’s opinion” and not hard evidence). c. Training, Conferences, & career development (there’s never, ever money for this) –management always say “maybe next year,” and, when next year comes around, there are no resources. 4. Once you are given a multi-volume, multi-versions software project, you will write about that product until the DAY YOU DIE or quit. The systems much too complex to change writers – even between upgrades. If you complain about boredom, Management will say that they will try to get you a new project, but it never, ever happens (because you are their only expert). 5. There are never any product release plans with you in mind: Yes, there are product release plans, but engineering always runs late, and, therefore, you are asked to do the impossible (e.g., write a 150 manual in a few weeks) because of various deadlines. The stress is constant. When you complain to management, they only give you lip service about fixing the issue. 6. Isolated: In Reno, there are very few tech writing jobs (and the newspaper just fired all of their writers). Las Vegas has a bit more jobs, but competition is fierce. Training management/other management has no incentive to treat you better – they know you have NO WHERE ELSE TO GO unless you move out of state, and they take full advantage of this fact. 7. Lip service: Management at IGT will tell you anything you want to hear with a “maybe” inserted in front of it. When you ask for something in writing (e.g., A promotion/raise plan.), they will refuse to do so. They have no problem leading you on with ambiguous “maybes” and “perhaps” that never, ever come to fruition. You will never have any leverage. 8. Disgruntled worker: Some will say that I’m just a disgruntled worker (very true); however, I’ve had extensive conversations with the IGT tech writing “old timers,” and from what I can tell, nothing’s changed in over 30 years. It’s manufacturing…you’re just a cog to them. 9. “We’ve Changed!”: If you interview with IGT, they will probably give you some song and dance about how they’ve changed with the Gtech buy-out; however, I can tell you from direct experience (I’m still here – can’t wait to leave), that the management layer from the director below is still the same – so of course, nothing’s changed (nor will it ever change no matter who is in charge [there have been multiple c-level leaders throughout the years] – the management tells the c-level leadership whatever they want to hear while secretly flogging you in order to get product out so that they look good). In a nutshell: if you like being chained to a desk, writing about the same product ad infinitum, with no hope of meaningful pay raises/promotions/opportunities, while being treated like a non-human, then be my guest and take the job. Consider yourself warned.