How to Become a Technical Writer: Diverse Career Paths and Opportunities
Technical writing is a vital profession that bridges the gap between complex information and user-friendly documentation. Whether explaining software features, creating user manuals, or developing training materials, technical writers and their skills are essential in many industries.
We talked to UC San Diego Extended Studies Technical Communication instructors Steven Lemanski and Linda Oestreich to illuminate the diverse career paths and opportunities available in technical writing. This comprehensive guide will help you jumpstart your professional journey with insights from industry-experienced instructors.
Understanding Technical Writing
What is Technical Writing?
Technical writing is focused on creating clear, concise, and user-centric documentation for various audiences. The scope of materials ranges from manuals, user guides, and white papers, to collateral for online help systems, marketing outreach, and presentation tools. The goal is to convey technical information in an accessible and understandable way, making it easier for users to accomplish their tasks or understand complex concepts.
“Technical communications covers everything (and I mean everything) from web content to medical writing, proposal writing, content strategy, user experience writing, technical editing, communications consulting, marketing communications, product support documentation, and more,” said Lemanski, UC San Diego Extended Studies instructor and owner and managing editor of Human Factor Communications.
Being a skilled and experienced writer is paramount to succeeding in this role, but that isn’t the only key to making a mark and advancing a career in the field. According to Lemanski, there’s one competency that gets to the heart of technical writing. Possessing it will make you a uniquely valuable player able to build your professional path in any direction.
“The principal thing – the most valuable skill – that enables anyone to transition into different roles and assume expanded responsibilities,” added Lemanski, “is this: the ability to quickly assimilate and understand brand new information (new to the writer) – understand it enough to be able to confidently and fairly quickly write about it yourself.”
Marketable Skills
To excel as a technical writer, you need a combination of writing proficiency, attention to detail, and technical aptitude. Strong writing skills are the foundation, but, as Lemanski noted, the ability to understand and explain complex technical information is critical. To dive a bit deeper, he provided a road map to assessing and presenting your expertise.
“Probably the best notion (at a high level) of the marketable skill sets that are required by today’s technical writers is that of STC’s (Society for Technical Communication) Eight Core Competencies,” said Lemanski.
These competencies include:
- Project Planning and Analysis: defining a project's scope, goals, and deliverables, identifying the resources and tasks, and analyzing risks and pitfalls
- Content Development: researching, writing, gathering, organizing, and editing information for publication
- Organizational Design: defining the correct format to appropriately convey intended information and meaning
- Written Communication: the exchange of information, ideas, or messages in written form
- Visual Communication: using visual elements to convey information, ideas, emotions, or stories
- Reviewing and Editing: correcting, condensing, or modifying to refine and finalize documents to meet the needs of the client/supervisor and audience
- Content Management: creating, collecting, editing, and delivering any form of information on various mediums and channels
- Production and Delivery: delivering work quickly and efficiently
With your checklist in hand, you can assess your skills, note your strengths and areas for improvement, and seek out opportunities to fill any gaps.
Lemanski added, “The master communicator—someone with the largest, broadest skill sets in those eight competencies mentioned above—is the person who finds the most and the most lasting success in the field.”
But, don’t forget to review what you offer from a more personal perspective, too. Experienced UC San Diego Extended Studies Technical Communications instructor Linda Oestreich an STC Fellow and the 2007-2008 President of STC, advises an additional quality that can help you both understand how to be successful as a technical writer and also stand out in the crowd. What is it?
“The soft skill of having a knack to work with people, be collaborative, flexible, and persuasive,” said Oestreich. “I really believe that this profession—because of the need to interact with both Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and audiences-- needs people who like people.”
Career Paths in Technical Writing
Industry Overview
Technical writers are in demand across a wide range of industries. Some of the prominent sectors include:
- IT and Software: Creating user manuals, online help, and API documentation.
- Engineering: Developing technical specifications and maintenance manuals.
- Healthcare: Writing medical and pharmaceutical documentation.
- Finance: Producing financial reports and compliance documents.
Job Roles and Responsibilities
The roles within technical writing can vary significantly based on the industry and organization. Common job titles include:
- Technical Writer: Focuses on creating user guides, manuals, and help documentation.
- Content Developer: Works on a broader range of content, including training materials and knowledge bases.
- Documentation Specialist: Specializes in maintaining and organizing documentation.
According to Lemanski, job titles can vary by industry and organization.
“In my own career, I have worked successfully for years at a time as a software documentation writer, a proposal writer, a marketing and sales writer, and a corporate communications writer,” said Lemanski.
He notes that the high-level function of the role, regardless of what it’s called, is the critical piece. Staying focused on your purpose as a communicator is key.
“The reality of the tech comm field is that technical writers enter the field (again, a very broad and diverse field spanning practically any business or industry sector you can imagine) at a point where science/technology and language arts converge.”
Career Progression
A career in technical writing offers ample opportunities for diversity and advancement, with many ways to evolve. Starting as an entry-level technical writer, you can move into senior or lead roles, or even specialize in areas like content strategy or information architecture. With experience, it's possible to change industries or directions throughout your career.
“I am the poster child for experiencing a diverse career path. I began work as a clerk, was identified as someone who was good at writing and editing, and competed to get a specialized training program to become an editorial assistant,” said Oestreich. “That job led me to become a technical writer/editor at a government research laboratory in San Diego. Eventually, I left that work to begin a job as an editor for a VP of Human Resources at a computer programming start-up in Houston, where I learned how to write policy and procedures, employee handbooks, EEO, ADA, etc., announcements, and such for the company.”
Being open and flexible to learning new skills and stretching your existing knowledge can reap big rewards in the quality and terms of your work life.
Education and Training
Background and Education
While some technical writers enter the field with a degree in English, Journalism, or Communications, others come from technical backgrounds such as Computer Science or Engineering. Regardless of which path leads you to this career, a rigorous mindset and commitment to growth are the best assets to bring with you.
“Continually learning new concepts and writing about them is hard work,” said Lemanski. “So no matter what kind of previous background one has—and our students come from practically every industry you can think of—you've got to be willing to read a lot, think a lot, and never be satisfied with the last thing you've written. Until you're forced to turn it in.
A formal education in technical writing can provide a strong foundation to enhance any educational background and open up more opportunities.
“Technical communication is known by many titles and is done by many who might not even know that they do it!” said Oestreich. “ But within that work, anyone who does technical communication must, in addition to understanding at least the basics of the technology that one supports through documentation, one also has to learn the software to publish the work, must learn some common structural programs like DITA and HTML, learn a simple graphics program, get adept at project management software, and have the ability to apply those skills across teams. The profession is not for wimps.”
While a degree can be beneficial, it is not always mandatory. UC San Diego Extended Studies offers a comprehensive Technical Communication Program designed to equip aspiring technical writers with the necessary skills. The program covers various aspects of technical writing, including document design, technical editing, and content management.
“To successfully complete this program offered by UC San Diego Extended Studies,” added Lemanski, “one needs not only to possess an affinity for writing and communicating, no matter how much of it they've done in their life, but also to be a person that is always curious, always wanting to learn more.”
Skills Development
Through formal training, you'll develop specific skills crucial for technical writing, such as:
- Technical Editing: Learn tools and techniques and practice marking indisputable errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, syntax, and usage in technical documentation.
- Examine Your Thinking Process: discover how you use reason to solve problems, form opinions, and make decisions to improve text. Practice identifying key questions and assumptions, assessing interpretations and conclusions, and applying criteria and standards to analysis.
- Practical Skills: Edit technical writing using MS Word and Adobe Acrobat, learn to communicate with authors and editors, and practice writing queries and creating style sheets.
- Content Management: Explore how decisions made before the writing process begins can have unexpected ramifications.
Many technical writers enhance their credentials with certifications such as the Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) offered by the Society for Technical Communication (STC).
Steps to Become a Professional Technical Writer
Gaining Experience
Experience is key in technical writing. Look for internships, freelance opportunities, or volunteer projects to build your portfolio. Real-world experience will help you develop practical skills and showcase your work to potential employers.
Networking
Networking is crucial for career growth. Join professional organizations such as the STC or attend industry conferences and meetups. Connecting with other professionals can provide valuable insights, job leads, and mentorship opportunities.
Positioning Yourself
When you’re ready to get hired, having a compelling pitch is essential to showcasing your skills and experience. Lemanski advises a savvy approach that allows you to address some key misunderstandings about the role of a technical communicator, demonstrating your value in the process.
“There are some myths about technical writing (as a career choice) that new technical writers need to be aware of,” said Lemanski. “They will need to know how to explain how these are myths to hiring managers and prove that they are myths by the quality of their work.”
According to Lemanski, the three myths are:
- MYTH 1: To have strong technical skills—ability to code, understand and use various computer languages—is better, more marketable than simply being a great writer, but having less proficiency with particular software tools.
- MYTH 2: The craft of technical writing is merely “wordsmithing”—and any trained engineer or technically savvy professional who already knows the subject matter can easily be trained to write well.
- MYTH 3: It is easier to train someone to communicate effectively with the written word (and with visuals) than it is to train someone in the technical details of any industry.
Oestreich reiterated this sentiment and provided further clarification of the expertise required of a technical writer.
“Despite decades of research and knowledge, many people still regard technical communication as something ‘anyone who writes can do,’” she said. “ As Steve mentions in Myths #2 and #3, what we do cannot easily be done by any engineer or by any writer. We have an ability to join both technology and communication skills, so we can provide an audience (reader/user) with exactly what they need to perform the task, learn the skill, or be enlightened about just about anything.”
Future Trends and Opportunities
Emerging Trends
The field of technical writing is evolving with advancements in technology. Emerging trends include:
- AI and Automation: Leveraging tools to streamline content creation and management.
- Multimedia Integration: Incorporating videos, graphics, and interactive elements in documentation.
- Remote Work: Increasing opportunities for remote and freelance technical writers.
With the advent of new technologies, some in the field have expressed concern about the long-term fate of writing as a career. According to Oestreich, this is an unfounded worry at present.
“Making sure communications are well presented, appropriate for the audience/reader/user, and compatible with software, language, and laws is still something that a live, breathing, and skilled person needs to do,” she cautioned. “AI can get us part way there, but it doesn't yet and probably won't ever replace the ability of the right person addressing the needs of those audience members, wherever and whoever they might be.”
Lemanski concurred, advising those aspiring to the field to focus on the basics, now and going forward.
“I believe future professionals in technical communication will need the same set of core skills that those of us who work in the field find valuable today,” he said. “The standards for high-quality communication (writing, visualization, and truly comprehensible information) will not change. The same principles of good communication – audience-centeredness, clarity, completeness, accuracy, and persuasiveness – will always be what underpins those standards.”
Career Advancement
To stay competitive and advance in your career, stay open to opportunities and develop your skills as you go. Oestreich shared some of the curves in her long and winding career in technical communications.
“I was hired as a VP of a consulting firm where we had contracted clients who needed technical communication assistance, and we hired the needed writers and editors to fill those needs,” she said. “That job was as much administrative as technical, but I served as a lead, a principal in the company, and a consultant to our clients. In three years, the company grew from 12 writers to 50+ with an annual surplus of $3M.
After leaving that job, she once again returned to the role of senior writer and editor, working in project management, property management, oil and gas discovery and delivery, and computer sciences. At the end of her career, she returned to human resources
“All this is just to explain how varied my career was and how varied it could be for those in the field,” she related. “I believe that if a person has talent and passion and finds a company that needs what you're passionate about, you'll always find a job. Working in this field requires that we believe that what we do is important, and we sell our skills as professionals…”
Conclusion
Becoming a technical writer offers diverse career paths and opportunities across multiple industries. To stay competitive and advance in your career, engage in continuous learning. Pursue advanced certifications, attend workshops, and stay updated with industry trends and leaders in the field.
UC San Diego Extended Studies offers various courses to help you keep your skills current and relevant. Taught by authoritative instructors like Steven Lemanski and Linda Oestreich, who bring significant expertise and impart practical experience and advice, you can launch or advance your technical communications career in whatever direction you choose.
Call to Action
Ready to start your journey in technical writing? Explore the Technical Communication Program at UC San Diego Extended Studies to gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. Visit UC San Diego Extended Studies Technical Communication Program to start today. Or, sign up for a free Technical Communication and Copyediting Information Session at any time, on your own schedule, to learn more about the Technical Communication Certificate and Copyediting Certificate programs and instructors, review sample lectures, and discover the best fit for you.