4 answers
Brandy
Student
Canaan, New Hampshire
3
Questions
Asked
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What steps would be recommended in preparation of going into the field of Technical Writing
I am a student at Northlands Job Corps trying to figure out a possible career into Technical Writing #job
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4 answers
Pro Professional
207
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Pro’s Answer
You could major in English or Professional & Technical Writing
Sara Kamen
Technical communicator
2
Answers
Shorashim, North District
Updated
Sara’s Answer
Hi Brandy,
If you have good interpersonal communication skills, are curious, and are a bit "techie," technical communication can be an interesting and challenging profession. Many universities have courses in technical communication, and you might be able to find some certification courses, too. Certifications courses often require a minimum base of knowledge in computers and English.
Technical communication can be a wide field. In the hi-tech world, it includes knowledge in the following areas, so any skills you pick up in a classroom or on your own will help:
* English for technical communication
* Computer science
* Markup languages (HTML, XML, wiki)
* User experience
* Graphic design
* Instructional design
* Desktop publishing
Best of luck!
If you have good interpersonal communication skills, are curious, and are a bit "techie," technical communication can be an interesting and challenging profession. Many universities have courses in technical communication, and you might be able to find some certification courses, too. Certifications courses often require a minimum base of knowledge in computers and English.
Technical communication can be a wide field. In the hi-tech world, it includes knowledge in the following areas, so any skills you pick up in a classroom or on your own will help:
* English for technical communication
* Computer science
* Markup languages (HTML, XML, wiki)
* User experience
* Graphic design
* Instructional design
* Desktop publishing
Best of luck!
Clarence Cromwell
Technical Writer
1
Answer
Oakland, California
Updated
Clarence’s Answer
There are a lot of ways to become a technical writer.
I pursued a degree in English and then after working as a journalist (among other things) learned some programming skills and then became a technical writer.
Technical writers need to be good with technology and good at communicating, so try to gain experience in both areas.
People bring all kinds of backgrounds to technical writing, but most jobs in technical writing require a four-year degree in technical writing, English, or computer science. (Or something equivalent, like journalism or information systems.) You're giving yourself an advantage in the job market if you study something that fits what the employers are looking for.
Look up the technical writing programs at schools like Carnegie Mellon, Purdue, and San Francisco State University.
For students who don't have a technical writing program nearby, I'd suggest a major in English and minor in something technical like Computer Science.
Take classes in:
- HTML and CSS
- The Linux operating system or Bash scripting (to be familiar with the command line)
- Any programming language
Any experience that you can get in college with technology will be helpful. Look for campus jobs that will expose you to new things, like working on the computer help desk at the library or for the IT department on campus. Work at the computer store or the repair shop.
Demonstrating that you have some technical skills is important, because it's what potential employers will be looking for. If the technical jobs are hard to find, look for one where you can gain experience writing and editing.
There is a certain amount of medical and financial writing in the technical writing world, although software seems to be where most of the work is. If you are far more interested in those subjects, you might also decide to learn about biology, chemistry, economics, business, finance, etc. The job market might be somewhat smaller for those specialties.
I would also recommend talking to technical writers. You might have a local chapter of Write the Docs or the Society for Technical Communication. If you attend their meetings and introduce yourself, they can give a lot more information about the field and how to get started. There are groups on Slack where technical writers talk shop, including rooms dedicated to career advice.
Here's a place to start:
https://www.writethedocs.org/
I pursued a degree in English and then after working as a journalist (among other things) learned some programming skills and then became a technical writer.
Technical writers need to be good with technology and good at communicating, so try to gain experience in both areas.
People bring all kinds of backgrounds to technical writing, but most jobs in technical writing require a four-year degree in technical writing, English, or computer science. (Or something equivalent, like journalism or information systems.) You're giving yourself an advantage in the job market if you study something that fits what the employers are looking for.
Look up the technical writing programs at schools like Carnegie Mellon, Purdue, and San Francisco State University.
For students who don't have a technical writing program nearby, I'd suggest a major in English and minor in something technical like Computer Science.
Take classes in:
- HTML and CSS
- The Linux operating system or Bash scripting (to be familiar with the command line)
- Any programming language
Any experience that you can get in college with technology will be helpful. Look for campus jobs that will expose you to new things, like working on the computer help desk at the library or for the IT department on campus. Work at the computer store or the repair shop.
Demonstrating that you have some technical skills is important, because it's what potential employers will be looking for. If the technical jobs are hard to find, look for one where you can gain experience writing and editing.
There is a certain amount of medical and financial writing in the technical writing world, although software seems to be where most of the work is. If you are far more interested in those subjects, you might also decide to learn about biology, chemistry, economics, business, finance, etc. The job market might be somewhat smaller for those specialties.
I would also recommend talking to technical writers. You might have a local chapter of Write the Docs or the Society for Technical Communication. If you attend their meetings and introduce yourself, they can give a lot more information about the field and how to get started. There are groups on Slack where technical writers talk shop, including rooms dedicated to career advice.
Here's a place to start:
https://www.writethedocs.org/
Priya Kumari
2
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Priya’s Answer
Technical writing is a very interesting vertical to explore. As the name suggests it includes writing about technology. There are a lot of preparations that can be done if someone would want to get into technical writing. Here is some of my recommendations:
1. Good grasp of english - writing, reading, speaking, and grammar
2. Improve communication skills
3. Understanding basic tool used in technical writing
4. Usage of globally used writing style guide - MSTP
5. Understanding how technical writing aligns with technology development
6. What is technical document development process
7. Lastly, depending upon the job requirement, a little preparation about technology the use
1. Good grasp of english - writing, reading, speaking, and grammar
2. Improve communication skills
3. Understanding basic tool used in technical writing
4. Usage of globally used writing style guide - MSTP
5. Understanding how technical writing aligns with technology development
6. What is technical document development process
7. Lastly, depending upon the job requirement, a little preparation about technology the use