Additional Information
If you're interested in technical writing, there are things you can do
right now to prepare for this career. "It's not too soon to begin your career!"
says technical writer Louinda Benson.
"Opportunities are out there -- to get an article published, compete in
a local writing competition, network with your local chapter and talk to writers
in all disciplines. Read, write and practice good listening skills!"
Don't forget about the "technology" in technical writing! Benson and other
technical writers also recommend staying on top of science and math classes,
as well as learning what you can on your own time about the industry.
That might mean spending some time in the computer lab. "It also helps
to have a background in the technical field, so you can talk intelligently
with [the engineers and programmers]," says technical writer Tracey Chiracosta.
Most technical writers approach this field from one of two angles -- either
with a BA in English or journalism supplemented by some engineering and computer
science courses, or with a BS supplemented by English and journalism courses.
There are two-year diploma programs for technical writers, but experts
say a bachelor's degree is generally the minimum requirement for employment
in this field. "Employers want to know you have the analytical capacity for
the job. It seems they feel a degree is a good indicator of this," says technical
writer Tom Lindsay.
Diane Proulx does marketing work for a Society for Technical Communication
(STC) chapter. She agrees that technical writers should have a bachelor's
degree. Proulx says that they should also have excellent language skills and
basic knowledge of the following:
-style guide principles
-file management and version control systems
-markup languages (HTML, XML and so on)
-client-server technology
-user interfaces such as graphical user interfaces (GUIs), web
interfaces, and command line interfaces (CLIs)
-databases, database management systems (DBMS) and relational
database management systems (RDBMS)
-industry standard technical writing tools (desktop publishing
tools, Acrobat, and so on)