| Names and Roles of the Technical Communicators |
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What is Technical writing? Is it documentation or is it communication?
In actuality it is both. If you hear the name “Technical Writer”
or “Technical Communicator” for the first time what are your
first impressions? Do you imagine an individual jotting information endlessly
on a notepad as while listening to two Hydraulic engineers explain the
working order of a new turbine engine? Perhaps your imagination sprouts
the image of someone toiling endlessly at a computer writing a manual
about the turbine engine. In actually there is much more to Technical
Writing than just writing. |
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Technical writing is… |
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There are many definitions of Technical Writing. One definition considers it to be a fine art, the science of professional communication where Technical Writers convert complicated information into easy reading material that varies in subject. A second definition defines technical writing as a branch subject from the field of rhetoric; where rhetoric is often oral interpretation Technical Writing would be its written state. If we break down the word for a simpler definition we are left with the terms “technical” and “writer.” What exactly does “Technical” mean? Does it have to deal with electronics? Not necessarily. How about constructing something? 'Yes' is a possible answer. The term "Technical" refers to information, facts, or data that is not commonly known by everyone; it is territory generally reserved for professionals, experts, and specialists. Anyone can become “Technical” simply by developing an expertise. When you specialize in a particular field or subject of study you become a specialist in that field with a noteworthy level of technical knowledge. What further defines your level of technicality is your ability to write and orally communicate the information in your field to a varied audience where some individuals comprehend while others are left confused. This engagement and explanation of information is considered technical communication. There is also a second definition to technical writing, the term “Writer” which references an individual who is responsible for authoring information. Writing is a form of technical communication where the delivery of technical information to the audience is in a manner that is easily adaptable and can conform to their needs, level of comprehension, and background. They write, construct, and arrange documents and information that is used on a daily basis by scientists, nurses, doctors, computer specialists, government agencies and officials, engineers, or John Doe as a part of their regular everyday work. Proficient in writing on a technical level for any given audience, Technical Writers research and extract from a variety of documents to make and write new documents that can include:
With the rapid pace in which technology is being developed, more and more people are falling behind and left technologically illiterate. For example, your grandparents grew in an era where the use of a computer by a general audience was rare and unnecessary. Today it is almost impossible to do anything without the involvement of some electronic gadget. People have different levels of comprehension and to assume everyone understands the same would be arrogant and alienate potential subject populations. Unfortunately, technical illiteracy has become a large issue to society as of late and therefore technology companies are constantly struggling to find effective ways to help customers or potential customers understand the advantages or the operations of their new products; now grandfather Joe can program the VCR because of a well written manual. The ability to translate complex technical data into easy to read information is viewed as the key to technical writing and communication. |
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| A Luxury or Necessity? |
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Technical writing is a quiet career field; quiet in the sense that is it not a famous field, it has a small working population, and is aggressive in writing for and about information in demand. One of the causes for why there is such a small population in the technical writing is field is due to the workload and demands expected from the writer. Collecting large sums of research, writing, verifying information, editing and criticism, audience analysis, design, reporting, and production are just a few of the everyday tasks most technical writers face when working on a project either by yourself or with a team on a project from the very beginning. Another aspect for why technical writing is a quiet career field is luxury. Technical writers are seen as an added luxury position that a company can do without unlike a structural engineer for a construction firm, a programmer for a software company, or a pastry chef for a bakery who are a necessity for a company to create its products. Why use a technical writer as a go-between to write the manual for a new product when the creator, who would know the product best, can write it instead? In theory avoiding need to use a technical writer is a good business decision, but on a level of practicality and application the decision is not and often results in costly consequences to the company. Even though a product’s creator knows the working in’s and out’s of a product this does not necessarily mean that they can explain it without using shop-talk, being too technical, skipping steps, or just confusing the audience altogether. Many companies hire technical writers because they are not ordinary writers; they help define a company’s image and strengthen its ethos. It is a common factor to have some sort of diverse technical background even though it is not always required. Companies also like technical writers to have a knack for analyzing a targeted audience, what they need, and be able to use jargon and other terminology, especially if the writer is to work on a project alone. Other necessary qualities that help technical writers to be extremely diverse vary by field but the most common need is a flare for rhetoric. |
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Academically or In-Field Educated? |
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Like any career field, technical writing has an expected level of education and diversity. Education does not always mean you are required to have a 4-year degree. In most cases in-field experience makes up for the need of a degree. Suppose you’re applying for a position in a major corporation and are one of three final candidates. One of the candidates has a 4-year degree but no field experience, the other has a certification and field experience, and you only have field experience. Who then is likely to get the position? In a perfect world all three would. Each candidate, though educated differently, has a level of expertise and diversity, unique to them because of experience and would be an asset to any company. A college degree is often required for any position as well as experience. It is rare to attain a position solely based on experience because most companies want assurance that the individual they hire has had an accredited educational training and practical application in the field. The most common degree held by individuals in the field is Technical writing is Computer Science, (a specialized) Engineering, Journalism, or Business. Ellis College, a branch school from the New York Institute of Technology, based in New York, is one of many colleges that provide students with Bachelor’s degrees in Technical Writing. Ellis College has the special aspect that its students can earn their degrees without ever stepping a foot in the classroom; it is completely online-based. Like our candidate examples, anyone can become a Technical Writer; a degree is not always expected but often favored and required. Aside from a college education other routes can be taken in which to gain the levels of familiarity and know-how such as a certification or in-field experience. There is only one of the three education options that is lengthy and that is in-field experience. This route takes a more hands-on approach with much trial and error, but the advantage it has over the other two is immediate results; what is learned in the classroom as theory you apply, test, and use in your everyday skills. |
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| Employment Outlook |
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Even though some companies find technical writers to be nothing more than a luxury, there is a great need and demand for them especially in the software and electronics industries. Technical writing is a strong communicative field with a lot of growth and high income potential. According to The Society of Technical Communicators’ annual salary survey, collected from a group of 600 participants nationwide, the average salary in 2003 was roughly $61,670. The survey also included information that an individual with a 4-year degree and roughly two years of experience in the technical writing field could easily reach this annual salary range (give or take a few thousand dollars). Another surprising note from this survey was that the largest group of active individuals in the technical writing field is made up of women. Of course the information can be misconstrued as deceptive towards the actual amount of active participants in the field which is well over 7,000 internationally. |
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From Contract to Freelance |
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Like most fast-paced career fields, technical writing is unique because of its workspace. There are three distinct ways in which you can classify your workspace, with added bonuses that make them unique from one another. There are also instances where one or all three of these classifications can overlap. Deciding on which one of these workspaces best works for you all depends on your inclinations, preferences, and experience. Contract |
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Job Titles and Descriptions (Foreign & Domestic) |
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(Need an intro)
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Learn to Swim in the Job Pool by ... |
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| Learn to use a Search Engine; it could be your best friend. Before, people
used to either read the local newspaper's classified adds for their job
search or would ask a friend if their company had open positions (or knew
someone's who did). Now, thanks to the mass use of the internet for virtually
everything from ordering lunch to buying a home, an international job search
can be conducted while you're at home sitting at your desk drinking your
morning coffee.
Search Engines also reduce the amount of time you would normally spend looking at job postings by scanning through hundreds of databases that employers submit positions to. The search is based on specific criteria you submitted at the beginning of your search, therefore only positions matching your criteria will appear when the search is done. These databases are publicly accessible so long as you are registered to use the search engine. Registration is required 90% of the time for submitting resumes directly or to view the contact information of a potential employer. There are many types of search engines specifically designed for job searches; some are private (for internal company hiring and are not publicly accessible) but majority are not. The following is a list of popular websites with search engines designed for job searches particularly in the field of technology. |
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Networking is Your Friend! |
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Another way to navigate yourself in the job market is by networking.
Networking keeps you far from the path of alone, confused, and distressed
job searching. Instead, when you network you meet others who have or are
going through the same experiences as you. These individuals can offer you
advice, tips, support; even help you get your foot through a difficult door.
One constructive and efficient way to network is by joining an organization
that has is involved in your field of interest. The following is a list
of international organizations dedicated or associated to the field of Technical
writing.
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(need conclusion) |