How Do you Become a Technical Writer?

FinanceDude · 08-03-2007, 10:49 AM

Just curious, is anyone on here a technical writer? What training is needed?

yakers · 08-03-2007, 11:03 AM

I work at a technical place (NASA) and know a bunch of technical writers. The key is the writing part. Fresh out of college writing & journalism would be good, recently saw a gal hired with a degree in anthropology. Its good to understand the technical side a bit but its not like a patent lawyer where you need to be fully up to speed. The key is taking the info and presenting it in a way that non technical (or less technical) people can follow it. And one other thing, meeting schedules!

TromboneAl · 08-03-2007, 11:31 AM

Once when I was having trouble getting programming/consulting jobs I took a technical writing job writing a manual for a high-end video editing device. I think they hired me mainly because of my technical knowledge, because they didn't know much about my writing. I was referred by someone I had worked with before.

My point is that in some cases the technical skills might be what get you the job, though I'm guessing that's unusual.

**bssc** · 08-03-2007, 01:20 PM

My megacorp usually hires technical writers under the Business System Analyst label. We need people who can understand the process and write about it. We look for both business and English degrees. The last person we hired had a masters in History but had done requirements gathering before.

jIMOh · 08-03-2007, 01:24 PM

yes I am a technical writer. One way to get here is be a technical instructor for 8 years, then change career paths. I am an engineer by degree, CAD Instructor by experience.

Joss · 08-03-2007, 03:06 PM

"I work at a technical place (NASA)...."

NASA....

Hey... be careful at Happy Hour.

FinanceDude · 08-03-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joss

"I work at a technical place (NASA)...."

NASA....

Hey... be careful at Happy Hour.

tryan · 08-03-2007, 05:12 PM

Why would anyone want to be a technical writer?? They're the first to GO ... my mega corg laid off the entire department in the early 90's and told the engineers to step it up. Much easier to be a techincal writer with a technical background.

08-03-2007, 10:49 AM	#1
FinanceDude Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 7,421	How Do you Become a Technical Writer? Just curious, is anyone on here a technical writer? What training is needed? __________________ Consult with your own advisor or representative. My thoughts should not be construed as investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results (love that one).......:) President Obama, please know that I will continue to cling to my guns and religion........:)

08-03-2007, 11:03 AM	#2
yakers Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,611	I work at a technical place (NASA) and know a bunch of technical writers. The key is the writing part. Fresh out of college writing & journalism would be good, recently saw a gal hired with a degree in anthropology. Its good to understand the technical side a bit but its not like a patent lawyer where you need to be fully up to speed. The key is taking the info and presenting it in a way that non technical (or less technical) people can follow it. And one other thing, meeting schedules! __________________ A slave is someone who waits for someone else to free them

08-03-2007, 11:31 AM	#3
TromboneAl Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4,163	Once when I was having trouble getting programming/consulting jobs I took a technical writing job writing a manual for a high-end video editing device. I think they hired me mainly because of my technical knowledge, because they didn't know much about my writing. I was referred by someone I had worked with before. My point is that in some cases the technical skills might be what get you the job, though I'm guessing that's unusual. __________________ - Al -- Always serious, never joking. No, wait. Never serious... Always... I forget.

08-03-2007, 01:20 PM	#4
bssc Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,658	My megacorp usually hires technical writers under the Business System Analyst label. We need people who can understand the process and write about it. We look for both business and English degrees. The last person we hired had a masters in History but had done requirements gathering before. __________________ Angels danced on the day that you were born.

08-03-2007, 01:24 PM	#5
jIMOh Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Milford, OH Posts: 1,204	yes I am a technical writer. One way to get here is be a technical instructor for 8 years, then change career paths. I am an engineer by degree, CAD Instructor by experience. __________________ Light travels faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. One person's stupidity is another person's job security.

08-03-2007, 03:06 PM	#6
Joss Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 207	"I work at a technical place (NASA)...." NASA.... Hey... be careful at Happy Hour. __________________ Can eat with either hand.

08-03-2007, 05:12 PM	#8
tryan Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,460	Why would anyone want to be a technical writer?? They're the first to GO ... my mega corg laid off the entire department in the early 90's and told the engineers to step it up. Much easier to be a techincal writer with a technical background. __________________ FIRE'd since 2005

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