Most technical writers have a college education. However, there is no minimum educational requirement for this position.
Some people start with only a high school diploma — they are usually excellent self-learners and high achievers. Others have a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or even a doctorate in technical communications or another field.
The important thing is that you have an interest in learning more about writing technical documentation.
Most of the learning will be done on the job anyway due to the fast-changing hi-tech landscape.
If you want to become a technical writer, you can get started by taking courses at community colleges or local universities. These classes usually cover basic grammar rules, punctuation, and sentence structure. You can also learn about different types of writing styles and how to communicate effectively with different audiences.
Another resource is the thousands of online courses and books available for all prospective tech writers.
Feel free, for example, to have a look at my comprehensive best-seller course created for those considering to enter the tech com field: https://www.udemy.com/course/technical-writing-and-editing/
STC has a great certification program which I can recommend without any hesitations. (www.stc.org)
Once you feel comfortable with these basics, you can move on to more advanced training programs.
There are many options available, including certificate programs, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. Online courses are another option, but they tend to be less structured than traditional classroom settings.
Once you finish your coursework, you will need to apply for jobs. Most companies hire technical writers through staffing agencies. These firms place job seekers with various employers based on their skills and experience. Jobs vary widely depending on the industry and company. It is possible to find work as a technical writer even if you do not have any previous experience.
Here is a selected list of schools in the USA that have technical communication or technical writing programs:
1. Carnegie Mellon University
2. University of Minnesota
3. University of Washington
4. Michigan Technological University
5. University of Central Florida
6. University of Colorado Boulder
7. Rochester Institute of Technology
8. North Carolina State University
9. George Mason University
10. Drexel University
The Bottom Line
Technical writing is one of the most popular careers today. As long as you have a passion for learning and communicating technical content, you can make a good living doing this kind of work.
The Tasks that Freelance Technical Writers Perform
Technical writers often work independently, writing documentation for software developers.
They are responsible for explaining complex concepts and technologies to people who use those systems every day.
In addition to writing user guides and how-to guides, you may also interview clients, and manage projects.
Some freelance writers even provide training sessions for companies looking to hire someone else to do what they used to do themselves.
There are several different types of technical writing jobs, such as copywriting, technical editing, and technical communication. Each type of job has its own set of skills and requirements.
If you want to become a technical writer, it helps to understand the differences among the types of technical writing positions.
New Positions Created Due to Retirement Of Older Workers
What Technical Writers Must be Able to Do
Technical writing is one of those jobs that many people think are easy to learn, but it takes practice and experience to become proficient.
A technical writer must be able to write software documentation, operations guides, installation guides, online documentation, specifications, manuals, white papers, web content, and even training materials and style guides, depending on the specific company you work for.
You might work directly with engineers, product managers, graphic artists, marketers, salespeople, customer support representatives, and others. In some cases, you might be responsible for creating documents that will go out over email or social media.
In addition to writing, all writers must of course know their grammar and style rules, vocabulary, and formatting requirements. They often use specialized tools like Adobe FrameMaker, Madcap Flare, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and PowerPoint.
Selected Technical Writing Tasks
- Create and edit technical documents (specifications, design documents, integration guides, even journal articles, etc.)
- Write API Guides
- Write White Papers
- Write articles on topics related to technology
- Edit technical books and magazines
- Provide technical assistance to customers
- Work and meet with internal teams
- Work with marketing teams to develop new products
- Support engineering staff with technical questions
- Develop instructional videos and animations
- Manage project timelines and budgets
- Conduct interviews
The Job Outlook is Positive
The number of technical writing Jobs will continue to increase through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics.
As of 2022, the number of technical documentation jobs is estimated to grow by 3% over the next 10 years, again according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This growth is expected to come primarily from the continued expansion of online information products and services.
There are currently about 5,450 job openings for technical writers across the United States. These numbers are projected to rise to 7,100 by 2031.
New Positions Created Due to Retirement Of Older Workers
As workers with technical skills retire, there will be fewer people qualified to fill those roles. For example, the average age of technical communicators is 47.6. By 2031, it is projected that there will be about 4,300 vacancies for technical writers.
It’s a good time to become a technical writer.
To learn more about this solid and lucrative writing niche, please visit How to Find a Technical Writing Job today.
Another resource is my Technical Communication Bookstore which offers free courses and downloads as well.