Technical writing may not be considered an exciting career path, but this job can offer an opportunity for a skilled writer to find a niche and advance financially. Here is some inside information on this occupation from an experienced technical writer.
Technological advances in the past decade have opened up opportunities for a variety of new career options including that of the technical writer. For every new product that is introduced to the market, user documentation must be created. This documentation can take the form of a hard copy manual, an online user guide, help section, or FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section on the company’s website.
But, despite the opportunities available, technical writing is not a career path that many college graduates choose to pursue. There is still a stigma attached to this occupation, and many of these jobs go vacant, only to be filled by contract writers from outside the company. For people who become technical writers, however, the field is wide open, and with some experience, these jobs can be lucrative and rewarding.
Like many college grads, I did not start out with the goal of becoming a technical writer. My dreams were of broadcast journalism, or perhaps working for a prestigious newspaper – the New York Times, for example! But once I graduated from college, reality set in, and I found myself scrambling for work of any kind to support myself while I pursued my dreams.
I became a technical writer completely by accident! I was employed as a buyer for a software development company when the technical writer suddenly resigned. No one in the company wanted to do the job, and the search for a writer from outside the company yielded unsatisfactory results.
With my rusty English degree and a fairly competent command of the language, I was the most likely candidate for a replacement, and agreed to take the position on a trial basis with the understanding that I could return to purchasing if the job proved to be beyond my abilities. I knew nothing about technical writing when I started, but gradually, over time, I became more and more proficient. I now feel comfortable attacking nearly any project.
I love what I do, and am constantly touting the benefits of this type of writing. Still, most people don’t understand the nature of the job, and therefore, are not inclined to take up technical writing as a profession. What follows is some basic information about this field, describing my own process, and offering a brief overview of technical writing.