What is technical writing anyway? What do technical writers do?
The primary goal of a technical writer is to take a complex, unclear concept or idea and present it in a simple fashion that is far easier to grasp. For a graphic example of a technical writer’s work, think of an instruction manual that comes with a new product that you purchase, or an FAQ section on a website for that product. Technical writers act as the bridge between the brilliant, frenzied minds of an inventor, and the impatient, rushed state-of-being of someone who purchases their creation.
Often, technical writers will spend time with a company during the manufacture of a product to get a thorough understanding of how it works and develop a much better idea of what a consumer needs to know about its function and design. Ostensibly, this makes technical writers much more than just writers, but often the mystic ‘technical experts’ on the opposite end of a phone line answering your question. They use the information they gather from user feedback and inquiry to update FAQs and instruction manuals accordingly.
How was your day?
Most often, technical writing is a typical 8-5 type of profession. They will arrive to work at their desk or cubicle—fifteen minutes early to boot up their computer, of course—and get to work. Depending on their responsibilities, they may check e-mails for updates, answer phone calls or man FAQs to respond to customer concerns, or begin drafting their latest project. They will generally keep up these processes throughout the duration of their day, constantly checking e-mails and answering phone calls all the while.
How do I become one? What skills should I possess?
Examination of numerous job listings and posts, as well as testaments from people who work in the field, reveal that a bachelor’s degree is basically a must. Communications, English, Journalism, and Writing majors are in the best position to pursue a technical writing career.
Of course strong writing skills are a requirement, and more importantly the ability to communicate complex ideas into accessible, digestible text. Computer literacy is also a necessity, and familiarity with graphics design programs and all elements of Microsoft Office are required because of the amount of multimedia on websites and visual aids in pamphlets and manuals today. A byproduct of the strong writing skills is an ability to communicate in person effectively, as some technical writers speak directly to confused clients and consumers.
What is the pay like?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for technical writers was $65,500 as recently as 2012. The variety of outfits in which technical writers worked did not affect income drastically, as each of the top four most common types of technical writers hovered between $64,000 and $71,000. The low end pay (most likely entry-level) was around $38,000, whereas the top of the field earned north of $101,000.
Words to Live By:
‘ "If your goal is to write a novel, this is not the job," says Saul Carliner, a former president of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), an organization for technical writers and editors with 14,000 members in the field. "Although the finished product is something you wrote, there's a lot of collaboration. You're interviewing people. You're coordinating. Twenty to 30 percent of your time is writing." ‘ –courtesy of http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/company-industry-research/technical-writing-careers/article.aspx
Other Sources:
http://techwhirl.com/what-is-technical-writing/
http://technicalwritingtoolbox.com/2012/03/28/a-day-in-a-technical-writers-life/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm#tab-2
The primary goal of a technical writer is to take a complex, unclear concept or idea and present it in a simple fashion that is far easier to grasp. For a graphic example of a technical writer’s work, think of an instruction manual that comes with a new product that you purchase, or an FAQ section on a website for that product. Technical writers act as the bridge between the brilliant, frenzied minds of an inventor, and the impatient, rushed state-of-being of someone who purchases their creation.
Often, technical writers will spend time with a company during the manufacture of a product to get a thorough understanding of how it works and develop a much better idea of what a consumer needs to know about its function and design. Ostensibly, this makes technical writers much more than just writers, but often the mystic ‘technical experts’ on the opposite end of a phone line answering your question. They use the information they gather from user feedback and inquiry to update FAQs and instruction manuals accordingly.
How was your day?
Most often, technical writing is a typical 8-5 type of profession. They will arrive to work at their desk or cubicle—fifteen minutes early to boot up their computer, of course—and get to work. Depending on their responsibilities, they may check e-mails for updates, answer phone calls or man FAQs to respond to customer concerns, or begin drafting their latest project. They will generally keep up these processes throughout the duration of their day, constantly checking e-mails and answering phone calls all the while.
How do I become one? What skills should I possess?
Examination of numerous job listings and posts, as well as testaments from people who work in the field, reveal that a bachelor’s degree is basically a must. Communications, English, Journalism, and Writing majors are in the best position to pursue a technical writing career.
Of course strong writing skills are a requirement, and more importantly the ability to communicate complex ideas into accessible, digestible text. Computer literacy is also a necessity, and familiarity with graphics design programs and all elements of Microsoft Office are required because of the amount of multimedia on websites and visual aids in pamphlets and manuals today. A byproduct of the strong writing skills is an ability to communicate in person effectively, as some technical writers speak directly to confused clients and consumers.
What is the pay like?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for technical writers was $65,500 as recently as 2012. The variety of outfits in which technical writers worked did not affect income drastically, as each of the top four most common types of technical writers hovered between $64,000 and $71,000. The low end pay (most likely entry-level) was around $38,000, whereas the top of the field earned north of $101,000.
Words to Live By:
‘ "If your goal is to write a novel, this is not the job," says Saul Carliner, a former president of the Society for Technical Communication (STC), an organization for technical writers and editors with 14,000 members in the field. "Although the finished product is something you wrote, there's a lot of collaboration. You're interviewing people. You're coordinating. Twenty to 30 percent of your time is writing." ‘ –courtesy of http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search/company-industry-research/technical-writing-careers/article.aspx
Other Sources:
http://techwhirl.com/what-is-technical-writing/
http://technicalwritingtoolbox.com/2012/03/28/a-day-in-a-technical-writers-life/
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm#tab-2