Should You Become a Technical Writer?
Posted by | Posted in Types of Writers | Posted on 21-12-2008
There is sometimes a misconception among writers that technical writing is either very difficult or that technical writers only take on boring projects.
While there are times when both are true, the same could be said of any type of writing. Some projects will always be more complicated than others, and some simply won’t be exciting, no matter how much the writer loves their job.
Overall though, I’d say those common notions are really just a case of misinformation and the limited experience many of us have when it comes to the technical writing profession. In reality, technical writing is no more difficult than other specialized forms of writing - it’s all a matter of individual projects, and the goals a writer is trying to reach.
To dispel the technical writing myths, today I’d like to share a little about technical writing, and what you might be able to expect if you’re considering becoming a technical writer.
Technical Writing Job Opportunities
Technical writers will likely always be in demand, as technology always changes and there will always be a certain amount of convincing to do with customers (companies have to explain to people why they should switch or upgrade to the latest technologies in order for their products to remain profitable).
Technical writing also offers a wide range of opportunities from one-time projects and regular freelance work to full-time employment.
The Pay
Because most technical writing jobs require a degree (you have to understand the technology you’re describing or promoting), they pay for technical writers is often higher than that for other types of writers. This is the case for most types of writing requiring a highly specialized skill set. Find out more about what technical writers are paid on average in your local area at Salary.com.
The Job
To simplify what technical writers do, they take complicated or highly technical ideas and facts, and they have to put them into easy-to-understand language for the average person (in many cases) - essentially putting things in laymans’ terms. In some cases, the resulting writing will still be highly technical, but being able to simplify complex ideas goes a long way towards making a successful technical writer.
What Technical Writers Write
When people think of technical writers, they might only think of writing something like product manuals. However, technical writing can involve much more. Here are some projects technical writers might work on:
- Product / Repair Manuals
- Assembly Instructions
- Training Manuals
- Technology White Papers
- Proposals
- Websites / Articles
- Reports
- Online Help Desks / Support Resources
As you can see, a technical writer’s job description can be pretty diverse. They may choose to specialize in certain types of documents, or they may be asked to write several different types of things on a regular basis.
As with any type of writing job, technical writing offers a lot of flexibility and a lot of potential.
Find out more about becoming a technical writer with the following resources:
- A Guide to Careers in Technical Writing
- Technical Writers - Labor Market Information (CA-specific, but good general information as well)
- Technical Writing Tools
- How to Find Technical Writing Jobs
- FabJob Guide to Becoming a Technical Writer
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