Also bear in mind that many lower-level jobs have been outsourced/offshored to India. This practice has hollowed out many of the job categories that TWs once used as springboards to move ahead in their career. The ONLY way I’ve been able to continue getting callbacks from recruiters and companies at all is because of my extensive technical knowledge in specific areas. There are far fewer jobs out there then there used to be. Lose your job for six months and see what happens!

Anyone who actually WANTS to go into this field really needs to be familiar with IPv4 and v6 and have some knowledge of one or two key scripting languages or a high-level language. The more knowledge, the better. Many TW jobs around these days require a CS degree or a minor. It’s unrealistic to assert otherwise.

GC report: Now I could understand why we never have the freedom to do what we want to do.It is sure the big banks dont want us to see this.

Struck by your article, I never considered “Technical Writing” as a career option. Tsk, tsk.

I earned two degrees all about communicating. While in ministry, I handily relied on my English BA and Master of Divinity, direct applications. Yet, series of unexpected turns landed me in business, specifically sales.

I’ve sold everything from square feet to software, never thinking I would ever see a career application for my degrees. My degrees helped me with analysis and presentation, but I’ve always put them at the end of my resume following a string of sales successes!

Now, after reading your advice, I’m thinking “Converge selling, which I do well, with the writing, analysis, and presentation skills directly into a technical writing career, for more than $40,000 a year, right?

Now, after reading, there is hope in business, yet! Maybe, I don’t have to have another degree! That WOULD BE great news, if true. Thanks.