Comments on: Reader Question — How Do I Get Training in Technical Writing?

By: John McClung

John McClung — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:45:04 +0000

Hmm, no one here anymore with any feedback for me? Disappointing… still, what’s here is already good info, thanks for that.

By: John McClung

John McClung — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:29:20 +0000

I’m a seasoned graphic designer researching moving into tech comm. I think I have a lot of skills and aptitudes needed: I’ve written user manuals for camera usage, online asset libraries, etc., both printed and online versions; I write lesson plans for music students (I teach pedal steel guitar in private lessons); and I love analyzing and boiling things down and explaining things to others. Am I a good candidate for technical writing?

My question today is about the tech side: I’m strictly a Mac user, a bit of a snob about it actually. Are the apps mentioned above just PC? To work in the field, will I have to learn and work in Windows and Windows apps? I’m willing to adapt and learn, but curious how necessary it might be.

Thanks for your input, everyone!

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:19:48 +0000

If I were you I’d focus on learning to write for the Web. Technical writer jobs are facing hard competition from out-of-work journalist as well as outsourcing to India. I’d re-brand yourself as a Web Writer/Editor and look for jobs developing content with an eye towards becoming a Web content strategist.

Best of luck!
Richard
Technical Writer Jobs

By: Avi Solomon

Avi Solomon — Sun, 24 May 2009 17:38:55 +0000

I recommend carefully going through Bob Horn’s excellent InfoMap seminar – It is the best introduction to Technical Writing I know of:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/15570852/Technical-Writing-Fundamentals-InfoMap-Manual-for-Developing-HighPerformance-Documentation

By: Neticule

Neticule — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:24:12 +0000

Great post! I am curious what a good place to find intern spots would be?

By: Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:12:26 +0000

good post.

I have taken a university class in Technical writing, continuing studies courses in web writing, grammer, style etc.. done volunteer work as an newsletter editor and as an assistant at a non-profit magazine, I have an e-portfolio of writing samples, worked on communications teams, & done team writing. Most job ads qualifications cite a university degree in english or communications (or comp sci/engineering). I do have a university degree in social sciences as well as a continuing studies certificate in web development & multimedia.

but my question is: how important are the actual credentials?

I seem to be getting screened out because I don’t have the particular degree or traditional job title (I’m a library assistant).

By: Bettina

Bettina — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 08:38:53 +0000

Hi, technical writers are also often tasked with technical illustration jobs. So if you are looking for any information around technical illustrations and some free tutorials, I can recommend to go to the PTC website and watch some of our free illustration tutorials: http://www.ptc.com/products/tutorials/tech_illustrations.htm

Good luck for your career!
Bettina

By: Connected Content

Connected Content — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 20:59:52 +0000

Where Do You Get Professional Writing Experience?…

A fledgling technical writer named Jara wrote into I’d Rather Be Writing about a common Catch-22 situation faced by anyone wanting to get professional experience in writing…I need experience to get a job, but I can’t get a job without…

By: Writing Career

Writing Career — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:40:36 +0000

Thanks for the post
Now a day there is a huge demand of technical writers. A person who have a good command over written English and know how to write for a particular article or a press release. If you know these aspects of writing then there are many opportunities available in market.

By: Alistair Reece

Alistair Reece — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:45:39 +0000

oops – that link is:

http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Technical_writing