Is Technical Writing a Good Career?

Posted at 14:31h in Career, Technical Writing by

If you like paying close attention to detail and have excellent writing skills, technical writing can become a great career. Technical writing in niche markets can be extremely lucrative but also requires excellent research skills and the constant need to keep up-to-date with industry data and developments. 

Definition of Technical Writing

Technical writing is a term that has been misused: many people think that anyone using any word processing software is a technical writer! However, technical writing is much more than that. It’s the ability to translate technical and industry-specific jargon into something easily understandable by its audience. These can be user manuals, scientific papers, white papers, assembly guides, and technical documents. 

If you have the gift of turning complicated concepts into clear and accessible ideas, then technical writing is a great career for you. 

 

 

Become a Great Technical Writer

Many people become technical writers after years of working in a professional field. Others go to college with an eye to technical writing and study technical communication, journalism, or even English literature to hone their writing skills and slowly focus on a particular field where they will excel. 

So, what do you need to become a great technical writer?

Find your industry

Being a technical writer means you will have to focus on a particular field. It can be quite difficult to write about how to assemble engineering tools as well as white papers for financial institutions with the same proficiency. Discover the field that best fits your interests or background and start studying it. This can be medicine, software and hardware, finance, retail, pharma, engineering, law, or anything that piques your interest and matches your personality. 

Study and engage

Study your field, join groups, and discuss and follow new developments. If you want to become a successful technical writer, you need to be the best in your field. Check websites and leaders in their industry and follow influential people in their field to keep updated on how the industry is moving forward. 

Practice makes perfect

Technical writing is not the same for every field. The writing style and content differ immensely between, for example, a clinical trial for a pharmaceutical company and the software interface for an engineering tool. 

Read technical writing from your field and see how other people are doing it. Start writing, even if it’s not for an actual client. Just practice. Through practice, hone your skills.

Tailor your writing style to your industry

Some fields like it short and simple; others prefer more rhetorical writing. To become a truly successful technical writer you need to be able to write for your industry and in a style and content that matches expectations and industry standards. You will slowly learn the jargon of the field and the necessary terminology. 

How to Develop Your Technical Writing Skills

What does it take to become a technical writer? Besides effort and determination, here are a few skills that will come in handy.

Attention to detail

Imagine writing as an assembly guide where the steps are wrongly shown and the items in the package mislabeled. This will frustrate customers and make the business look bad. So, you want to be meticulous. That doesn’t mean that you should over-expand your content — you can be succinct while still paying attention to detail. It’s an art to master. 

Research

No matter how good you are in your field, there is always more research to be done. For example, you might know about software technical writing but a new app might be a novelty to you so you’d have to research it. 

Summarize and edit

The success of a technical document is that it’s clear yet precise. You will need to develop your editing skills before you can eliminate any superfluous information. You will also need to summarize content to make it more accessible to your audience and less complicated. 

Be part of a team

Technical writing per se is a job that can be done independently. Before and after, though, you usually need to be part of a team. You may have team members who are involved in a project, for example, and you must coordinate with them. 

Also, if you have questions, you may need to reach out to experts in the field. 

As a result, you will need communication skills to gather information and make sure that the final content meets the project’s requirements. 

Flexibility

Sometimes you will have to work with people across countries and continents. This means being open-minded and flexible in terms of working hours. 

Continuous learning

Technical writing evolves with technology. What you know today might be irrelevant in a couple of years. You must stay ahead of the competition and learn new skills. You should follow new developments and new industry players and understand how they affect your area of expertise. 

Well-organized

The information you are given has to be compiled into something readable, accessible, and understandable. Part of your technical writing skills is to deliver data and information in an organized way. 

  • You must be able to put down all the information in a step-by-step manner and eliminate any noise that is irrelevant to your audience. The way you organize the information should be intuitive and helpful. 
  • Keep in mind the type of audience you are writing for and adjust your writing and content to their knowledge level. This might require an extra step of information organization to make the data even more accessible. 

 

Should I Become a Technical Writer?

Technological developments are evolving so fast that technical writers can’t keep abreast, so, yes, being a technical writer today is a good career prospect. 

Moving forward

Developments in AI, the health industry, software and hardware, education, marketing, engineering, and web-based applications mean that technical writers are necessary to translate information from technical backgrounds into something more widely accessible. Even sectors like finance and banking are moving toward areas that require technical writing; for example, explaining to seniors how to use Internet banking. 

If the shoe fits

If you like to challenge yourself and constantly learn something new in a field you like, perhaps technical writing is right for you. There will be plenty of job openings in this field, particularly as technology advances in more fields. 

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Embarking on a technical writing career can be a rewarding journey; one that offers plenty of opportunities across various industries. From preparing detailed instruction manuals to simplifying technical concepts, technical writers bridge the gap between information and the broader audience.

Pretty much anyone can secure a high-paying job in technical writing with the right training, experience, and social skills. So, if you’re considering a career where your written words have a real-life impact, technical writing might just be the right career for you!

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is technical writing a lucrative career option?

Yes, technical writing offers high-paying jobs in various industries, including software development, pharma, engineering, healthcare, and more.

What qualifications are required to pursue a technical writing career?

While a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field can be advantageous, the most crucial requirements are excellent writing skills, the ability to effectively communicate technical information, and subject matter expertise.

How can I find a job in technical writing?

Companies typically hire technical writers directly or through specialized recruitment agencies. You can start by exploring job search websites, networking with professionals in the field, and joining organizations like the Society for Technical Communication. 

Do technical writers only work in office environments?

While many technical writers work in traditional office settings, remote work opportunities are increasingly prevalent, allowing for greater flexibility in terms of work location.

Are technical writing salaries competitive?

Yes, technical writers typically receive high salaries, especially those with significant experience and expertise in specialized fields.

Can social media play a role in a technical writing career?

Absolutely. Social media can be a valuable tool for networking, showcasing your work, and staying updated on industry trends and job opportunities.

Do I need training to become a technical writer?

Well, formal training can be beneficial, especially for individuals new to the field. However, many technical writers acquire skills and knowledge through hands-on experience and self-study.

What types of companies hire technical writers?

Pretty much everyone! Companies across various industries, including technology, healthcare, engineering, and finance, hire technical writers to create technical documentation, instruction manuals, and other written materials.

Do technical writers need to communicate with subject matter experts?

Technical writers often collaborate closely with subject matter experts to ensure accurate and comprehensible documentation. Thus, strong communication skills and the ability to understand technical concepts are essential for them.

What is the American Medical Writers Association, and how does it relate to technical writing?

The American Medical Writers Association is a professional organization for medical writers, including technical writers who specialize in healthcare-related documentation. Joining such associations can provide valuable networking opportunities and resources for technical writers in a niche industry.

 

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