A technical writer (sometimes called a technical communicator) designs, writes, edits, and produces documents for scientific, technical, industrial, and government organizations. These documents can include technical reports, specifications, reference manuals, operating instructions, policies and procedures, proposals, presentations, brochures, and Web pages.
Goals and Skills Required
The main aim of a technical writer is to communicate scientific and technical information to other people using easily understandable language. To be a technical writer, a person needs strong language skills, demonstrated by college-level training. A college degree in English, journalism, or communication is preferred, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The person also should also have some familiarity with scientific or technical topics. Finally, the person should have experience using word processing and desktop publishing software, graphics programs, and Web publishing tools.
Specially trained people began to be employed as technical writers in the late 1930s. Prior to the 1980s, however, most technical documents still were written by scientists, engineers, and other specialists, many of whom found it difficult to write for nontechnical audiences. With the rapid expansion of science and technology, however, the need increased for people who could both understand complex ideas and convey them effectively to a variety of audiences.
Challenges, Advantages, and Drawbacks
Some challenges need to be considered when thinking about a career as a technical writer. For example, a person may have to invest considerable time and money to acquire the knowledge and skills needed. Also, it can be difficult to gain entry-level experience. Technical writing is typically a sedentary profession that does not involve travel. At the same time, it is a demanding profession that can take time and energy away from other, more creative writing pursuits. Working for a company with an established set of document guidelines can be frustrating, and the profession is sometimes criticized for being dry and unimaginative.
Generally, however, the outlook for technical writers is bright. Technical writing is a job growth area: More jobs are being created than are being filled, particularly in the high technology industry. Once employed, a technical writer works on a wide variety of projects, many of which represent the cutting edge of science and technology. The field is supportive of female professionals; more than half of all technical writers are women. While a majority of technical writers are between the ages of twenty-five and forty-four, about 20 percent are over fifty-five years.
Entering the Profession
In addition, technical writing is a profession that pays well. According to a 2000 salary survey by the Society for Technical Communication, the average salary for a technical writer in the United States. is about $52,000. An entry-level technical writer makes about $37,000, which compares favorably with entry-level positions in other fields. The average salary for a senior-level technical writer with supervisory responsibilities is about $65,000. Salary level also depends on geographic location, level of education, and years of experience in the technical writing field. People interested in seeking employment as technical writers should pursue volunteer and internship opportunities, develop a portfolio of their work to show potential employers, check classified advertisements and company Web sites for job openings, write directly to personnel departments, and/or sign up with a job placement agency that specializes in information technology.
Bibliography
Society for Technical Communication. "Salary Survey 2000." Supplement to intercom 47, no. 8 (2000).
Internet Resources
Conroy, Gary. "Technical What?" Technical Writing 1997. http://www.techwriting.about.com.
Kolunovsky, Nina. "Becoming a Technical Writer in Three Easy Steps." Society for Technical Communication 1996. http://www.stctoronto.org.
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Writers and Editors, Including Technical Writers." Occupational Outlook Handbook 2000. http://stats.bls.gov/oco.
—Cindy T. Christen
