http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Careers/TC/Technical-Writing A listing of the most recently indexed works about Careers and TC and Technical Writing in the field of technical communication (and technical writing). en-us Copyright (c) 2005-08 by the EServer. All rights reserved. tclib-editorial@eserver.org (TC Library Editorial Board) webmaster@eserver.org (Geoffrey Sauer) http://tc.eserver.org/images/newlogo.gif http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Careers/TC/Technical-Writing http://tc.eserver.org/35296.html http://tc.eserver.org/35296.html Technical writers write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, online help documentation, operating directions and maintenance instructions. Rank: 28th best job in America. http://tc.eserver.org/35148.html http://tc.eserver.org/35148.html If you’re a college student looking to become a technical writer after you graduate, you face a formidable challenge: you can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job. Especially in a competitive job market, getting a job as a technical writer directly after you graduate — without a foundation of previous jobs, experience with a handful of tools, and an impressive portfolio — can be especially difficult. However, if you follow these seven steps, which are not easy, not something you can do overnight, you will find a job. http://tc.eserver.org/34698.html http://tc.eserver.org/34698.html It’s often useful to look at the economic and technological pressures in other industries, to see if the trends emerging there are relevant to the technical communications/publications sector. In recent Blogs, we’ve covered the issues emerging in education, but the telecommunications industry might also provide some useful insights. http://tc.eserver.org/34434.html http://tc.eserver.org/34434.html A technical writer is a professional writer who designs, writes, creates, maintains and updates technical documentation including online help, user guidance, white papers, design specifications, system manuals and other documents. A technical writer should possess good research techniques, good sound of language and excellent writing skills. Apart from this one needs to have the following five skills. http://tc.eserver.org/34069.html http://tc.eserver.org/34069.html Is it possible for a technical writer to switch niches and write something different? Here's an example of one person who's done just that. http://tc.eserver.org/34035.html http://tc.eserver.org/34035.html You might perhaps be considering whether to become a technical writer or not. You might be wondering: “What kind of a job technical writing is exactly and what does the future hold?” I can tell you right away that, at its most fundamental level, technical writing is safe and comfortable office work. http://tc.eserver.org/33462.html http://tc.eserver.org/33462.html If you need a job, then you might look for companies that have never had a professional technical writer working for them. It may require making calls or networking with friends or former co-workers. Most companies have a ton of writing to do. Usually they put off their documentation requirements and their needs have piled up. You may also find that someone such as a regulator has confronted management about insufficient documentation and they have to put a writer to work immediately. http://tc.eserver.org/33320.html http://tc.eserver.org/33320.html Some thoughts on what it takes to effectively mentor another technical communicator. http://tc.eserver.org/33169.html http://tc.eserver.org/33169.html Thinking of a career in technical communication? This article offers one point of view on what you need to know to be successful in the field. http://tc.eserver.org/31711.html http://tc.eserver.org/31711.html When you finally get the approval to hire a contract technical writer you'll want to go about it the right way in order to avoid problems and ensure success. This article provides insight on what you need to do before you start looking for a contract technical writing professional and how to go about finding one suitable for your project. http://tc.eserver.org/31728.html http://tc.eserver.org/31728.html 'Lone writers' — those people who work as their employer’s only staff writers — are a different breed, with their own unique set of professional and personal challenges. At the same time a blessing and a curse, the lone writer life offers flexibility, variety, and autonomy, along with feelings of stress, isolation, and burnout. http://tc.eserver.org/31716.html http://tc.eserver.org/31716.html At first glance, technical communication (techcom) and technical marketing communication (marcom) appear to be very different genres. Where traditional techcom strives to help people use products, marcom seeks to make people realize they need products. http://tc.eserver.org/31717.html http://tc.eserver.org/31717.html This article is a collage of ideas and experiences from some people who've made the leap from writer to manager. Although it's not a step-by-step guideline, it provides some compelling insight as to what individuals might expect as they transition into the management ranks. Even if you are an experienced manager, you might find these ideas helpful. http://tc.eserver.org/31698.html http://tc.eserver.org/31698.html Contrary to what many assume, working as a technical writer involves much more than sitting alone at your PC. The job requires plenty of contact with technical professionals, from programmers and project managers to machine operators and medical technicians. Solitary? Not quite. Collaborative? Most definitely. http://tc.eserver.org/31655.html http://tc.eserver.org/31655.html Most professional writing jobs still require a college degree either in the liberal arts with a preference for Communications, Journalism, and English. Competition is expected to be less for lower paying, entry-level jobs. Writers who fail to gain better paying jobs usually can transfer readily to communications-related jobs in other occupations. http://tc.eserver.org/30835.html http://tc.eserver.org/30835.html STIC-leden kunnen zich uitstekend vinden in het competentieprofiel voor de Technisch Communicatie-specialist. Dat blijkt uit de resultaten van de enquête die de werkgroep Opleiding en Trainingen in het najaar 2007 aan de STIC-leden voorlegde. http://tc.eserver.org/30004.html http://tc.eserver.org/30004.html If you have the stomach for it, technical writing can be the path to a full-time writing career. I did it for three years before switching to general business writing, which offers more variety. If you decide to go technical, be sure to keep reading the work of authors you admire so your day job doesn't make you forget everything you ever knew about 'real' writing. http://tc.eserver.org/26617.html http://tc.eserver.org/26617.html Beware the need for a vacation when the normally exciting and always rewarding nature of your technical writing job begins to lead you astray. http://tc.eserver.org/26616.html http://tc.eserver.org/26616.html Responses from an inquiry about the type of writer most likely to do well in a start-up environment and what management needs to do to keep those people committed and dedicated for the long-term. http://tc.eserver.org/23424.html http://tc.eserver.org/23424.html Discusses briefly the work market for technical communicators and their careers. http://tc.eserver.org/22613.html http://tc.eserver.org/22613.html Any technical experience helps, because once you have a little, it's easy to get more. For example, if you understand the basics of programming, it's easier to learn about additional languages. Once you know the basic terminology, it's easier to learn more and you have the words to ask the right questions. I've found that degrees are not required if you can perform, but a technical or writing degree is always welcomed. http://tc.eserver.org/22614.html http://tc.eserver.org/22614.html When I graduated with an Honours degree in English from St. F.X., I had no idea that I would find work as a freelance technical writer; in fact, I had next to no idea at the time what technical writing was. In short, a technical writer produces the literature of engineering, technology, software, and systems development. http://tc.eserver.org/21675.html http://tc.eserver.org/21675.html The U.S. Dept. of Labor’s 'Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 Edition, Writers and Editors,' is recommended reading for those considering technical writing as a profession. Some of the main points highlighted in the handbook make interesting reading. http://tc.eserver.org/21405.html http://tc.eserver.org/21405.html What can you expect from a career in technical writing? The answer depends on a couple of factors. Specifically, will you be a lone technical writer or part of a technical writing team? Will you be a freelance technical writer or an employee? http://tc.eserver.org/21404.html http://tc.eserver.org/21404.html Technical writing jobs can be hard to get if you have little or no experience. But there are things you can do to improve your chances of getting hired. http://tc.eserver.org/19728.html http://tc.eserver.org/19728.html Ten years ago, if someone had asked me about my profession, I would have spent a good 15 minutes explaining what I did for a living. Today, ‘Technical Writing’ is answer enough. This is one notable change in my life. In the last 10 years, I have witnessed many important changes in the field of technical writing. Here are a few. http://tc.eserver.org/19726.html http://tc.eserver.org/19726.html I started by saying that I wish to make everyone a technical writer. But I think I have taken the easy way out and am saying everyone is a technical writer. Welcome to technical writing! http://tc.eserver.org/13994.html http://tc.eserver.org/13994.html The TECHWR-L website periodically polls users' opinions about the current state of the field. Review the recent findings.