---
title: "Are Certificate Programs Helpful for Transitioning into Technical Writing? [Collaborative Post]"
date: 2011-01-06
description: "$( document ).ready(function() { // Handler for .ready() called. $('#toc').toc({ minimumHeaders: 3, listType: 'ul', showSpeed: 0, headers: '#content h2, #content h3, #content h4, #content h5, #content h6' }); /*..."
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/2011/01/06/certificate-programs-helpful-when-transitioning-into-technical-writing-collaborative-post/index.html
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at https://idratherbewriting.com/llms.txt. Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any page URL.

# Are Certificate Programs Helpful for Transitioning into Technical Writing? [Collaborative Post]

[![Certificate programs for technical writing](https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/idbwmedia.com/images/certificate2.png)](https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/idbwmedia.com/images/2011/01/certificate2.png)I get this kind of question regularly from people who find my blog. I never quite know what to say.

> Dear Tom,
>
> I stumbled upon your blog in search of information about becoming a technical writing. I decided to shoot you a quick email in search of a bit of advice. I have a M.A. degree in English and have been working in education (secondary through college level) for the last 10 years. I've also created and edited a creative online literary site and adapted material from the site into a live show that has found success here in Los Angeles, where I currently live. I'm looking to transition into a new career direction that would combine my expertise in writing with my experience in education. Technical writing specifically for e-learning platforms seems like it might be a good option for me.
>
> Based on your experience as a technical writer, do you think certificate programs in technical writing or instructional systems design would be wise for me to pursue??? Or, do they hold little value in the field? I have no direct experience in technical writing, though I may have the opportunity to begin editing pieces for a friend of mine who creates corporate e-learning platforms in the new year. Still, I worry I may have difficulty transitioning from the traditional education environment I've occupied for the last decade into the field without some kind of formal education. However, I don't want to waste my money pursuing a certificate if it won't be regarded positively within the field.
>
> -- Amy

Re certificates, any education is helpful, and if you have the time and money, go for it. However, sometimes in these academic programs, I hear things from teachers such as, "We teach the latest technologies here. For example, just this week we showed our students how to create drop-down menus in Dreamweaver." Or I hear students say, "We're learning how to create web pages in Word and upload them to a web site." Cringe...

If you're already a skillful writer, the challenge to transitioning into technical writing probably involves technical skills. No doubt the job listings require all kinds of technical know-how that you may not have. If this is the challenge, then a certificate program may not help you. I'm sorry. Academics are more focused on theory and concepts, techniques and methodologies -- not tools. To learn tools, get a subscription to [Lynda.com](http://lynda.com/) for $25 and go through the courses.

Lynda.com is great for learning tools such as Illustrator, Captivate, Photoshop, and other Adobe products. For more tech-comm-based tools, such as Flare, Robohelp, or Framemaker, you'll have to look elsewhere. Work on learning a handful of tools and put together [a portfolio](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/09/22/how-to-get-a-job-in-technical-writing-a-7-step-guide-for-students/) showing your ability to use them. You could also find a mentor in your [local STC chapter](http://www.stc.org/membership/chapter-search.asp) to guide you.

If you do plan to get a certificate, I think the [STC's certificate courses](http://www.stc.org/edu/online-certificate-courses.asp), taught by professionals in the field, will probably prepare you well.

Do you have any advice for this reader? If so, please add it in the comments below.