#10877
Advice about Technical Writing
Technical writing doesn't always mean 'computers.' Many companies hire technical writers to document policies and procedures for auditors. This means you would actually sit with someone and write down the steps they follow to do a function. Technical writers must be excellent communicators. Verbal and written skills must be of the highest caliber. A technical writer must be methodical, organized, and succinct.
Taylor, Vicki M. Suite101 (2001). Careers>Advice>Writing>Technical Writing
#31111
Advice for the Novice Tech Writer: Be Like an Empty Cup
Technical writing is one of those jobs in which you're constantly learning. New tools, new techniques, new methodologies. No one knows it all. That's especially true for the new technical communicator. If you've graduated from a writing and rhetoric course or a technical writing course, you have a pretty good grounding in craft. But you're really only at the base of the mountain. There's still a lot to learn, and if you keep your eyes and ears and mind open then you can quickly pick up what you need to know.
#31106
Advice for the Novice Tech Writer: Hold on to Your Passion
Passion, though, is a funny thing. It's easy to become passionate about something. But the fire of that passion can also be easily dimmed or extinguished, often due to circumstances that are beyond your control. Throughout your career, you'll definitely find your passion waxing and waning. But holding on to that passion and nurturing it will make you a better technical communicator.
#31105
Advice for the Novice Tech Writer: Think Long-Term
So you've just started out as a technical communicator, or you've been on the job for a year or two. And you've decided that maybe, just maybe, technical communication is the career for you and you're in it for the long haul. Now what? Think about the future and how you want your career to develop.
DMN Communications (2008). Careers>Advice>Technical Writing>Blogs
#10089
A friend asked the going rate for author's royalties on a technical or trade paperback, so I asked some people what they received. A few wrote back with extremely enlightening and fascinating comments. I passed these notes on to other authors, and received yet more interesting reading back. I have now edited all these comments down a bit, mostly taking out the names of authors and publishers and removing publisher specific comments.
Tognazzini, Bruce. Ray Tracing News (1996). Careers>Writing>Pricing>Technical Writing
#19726
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!
Kamath, Gurudutt R. ITpeople (2000). Careers>TC>Writing>Technical Writing
#24217
Lights! Action! Sound! There's a certain mystique associated with the design and development of multimedia. A multimedia developer is not quite a movie director, but.... If you're a technical writer, you may already have considered multimedia as a career option, but you may not know what's involved or how to get started. Having the information you need always makes a change easier, so perhaps this information will help you make that career move!
Currie, Cynthia C., Carmie Boutin and Linda Mandra. STC Proceedings (1999). Careers>Multimedia>Technical Writing
#19840
Information development organizations are under increasing pressure to implement single-sourcing or other automated and highly structured document development processes. Forces driving this trend include translation requirements, niche marketing, the convergence of software and documentation, and shrinking cycle times and budgets. Initially, these changes threaten to remove everything that is challenging and interesting about the technical writer’s work. However, technical writers who successfully adapt to this new environment will find more opportunity than ever to use their analysis and writing skills and to develop additional negotiation and process management capabilities.
Guthrie, Melissa L. STC Proceedings (2000). Careers>Content Management>Single Sourcing>Technical Writing
#22604
There has been a tremendous growth in the software industry and some growth in technical writing. Most of my columns ten years ago were rants about the poor state of our manuals and our software. Today, I think the humblest of companies is producing great stuff. The reason for it is simple--globalisation and the Internet.
Kamath, Gurudutt R. IT People (2002). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing
#31140
Becoming a Freelance Technical Writer
If you're considering a move to the contract side of the fence, you might want to think about the questions in this blog post before making a decision.
DMN Communications (2008). Careers>Freelance>Writing>Technical Writing
#10093
Becoming a Technical Writer in Three Easy Steps 
If you are considering a career change, you should become familiar with the potential requirements and compensation. Knowing as much as you can about a profession can help you decide if it is appropriate for you. This book is intended for beginning and would-be technical writers.
Kolunovsky, Nina. STC Toronto (1996). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing
#27320
Best Jobs in America 2006: Technical Writing
Money Magazine and Salary.com rate careers on salary and job prospects. Technical writing comes in as the thirteenth best career in America.
#23702
Breaking into Technical Writing
I'm not ashamed to admit it: the reason I became a technical writer is because 'Technical' comes after 'Teacher' in the help-wanted ads.
Johnson, Carol Siri. MetroVoice (2002). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing
#19678
I love my job but don’t feel the managers think it’s important, partly because of the noise. I also sometimes feel that I’m just an ISO requirement. I’ve also heard from techs that customers don’t look at the manuals; they just put them on a shelf. Any thoughts?
Alroy, Faye. Intercom (2003). Careers>Workplace>Writing>Technical Writing
#18295
California Labor Market Information System: Technical Writers
Technical Writers compose communication from product developers for users of the products. Users include consumers as well as scientists, engineers, plant executives, line workers, and production managers. Writers must write in a concise and easy-to-read manner for consumer publications or in highly specialized language for experts. With the increased use of desktop publishing, Technical Writers increasingly are responsible for the publication process including graphics, layout, and document design. Technical Writers create product instructions, reference and maintenance manuals, articles, project proposals, training materials, technical reports, catalogs, brochures, online documentation and help systems, Web pages, multimedia presentations, parts lists, assembly instructions, and sales promotion materials.
State of California (2002). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing>California
#31901
A Career in Technical Writing: Beach Time
Beach time and bench time refer to paid or unpaid time off between consulting contracts. When you are a contractor, it is best to take initiative and find other options no matter how much you trust your recruiter. Never trust a company to have your best interests in mind.
Hewitt, John. Writer's Resource Center (2008). Careers>Unemployment>Freelance>Technical Writing
#31898
A Career in Technical Writing: Life as a Wannabee
I couldn’t picture myself as a big time advertising writer, but technical writer was something that I figured I could do. I had plenty of computer experience. Half of my personal debt was related to computer equipment. I had been on the Internet since before there was a World Wide Web. I had a degree in creative writing and I had been an editor and writer for a few minor publications. Technical writer seemed obtainable.
Hewitt, John. Writer's Resource Center (2008). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing
#31899
A Career in Technical Writing: Two Dates to the Prom
In the world of contracting, the entire hiring process can take place over the phone. Knowing the right tool (even a little) can get you the job.
Hewitt, John. Writer's Resource Center (2008). Careers>Freelance>Technical Writing
#21405
A Career in Technical Writing: What Can You Expect? 
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?
Docsymmetry (2003). Careers>TC>Writing>Technical Writing
#21675
Career Outlook for Technical Writers and Editors
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.
Klariti (2003). Careers>TC>Writing>Technical Writing
#31655
Career Outlook for Technical Writers to 2010
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.
Klariti (2007). Careers>TC>Technical Writing
#23340
Careers For English Majors: Where Are They And How Can Departments Help?
The market for English majors is poor; yet with concentration, awareness of skills, strong support, and sufficient information, recent graduates and career changers can find excellent positions. In 1980, after performing two surveys of the career paths of 550 humanities majors and publishing a guide to career options, I resigned my academic post and began a full year of part-time teaching, medical and technical editing, and several other jobs, including career counseling. As a career counselor I collaborated with another former academic to develop a variation on the familiar career seminar for humanities majors.
Trzyna, Thomas. ADE Bulletin (1983). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing
#30870
Careers for Professional Writing Majors
A short article about careers in technical and professional communication.
Aronson, Anne. Metropolitan State University (2005). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing
#20068
Coming into the Workplace: What Every Technical Communicator Should Know—Besides Writing 
Working successfully as a technical communicator involves a great deal more than a thorough knowledge of professional skills and capability in the craft. Working at this kind of job means dealing with all sorts of people, handling all sorts of assignments and dealing with all sorts of corporate agendas and requirements that have seemingly little to do with getting the project out the door. But it’s all in a day’s work, and if you want to keep the job, you’ve got to accept and actually operate within all of those guidelines, strictures, rules (written and unwritten) and mores that make up the corporate structure.
Barker, Thomas, Rebecca A. Fuller, Deborah J. Rosenquist, John Schladen and Thea Teich. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Workplace>Writing>Technical Writing
#30835
Competentieprofiel Technische Communicatie
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.
