So, You Want to Be a Technical Writer?

Kathleen BaineOak Tree Writing Services

Why are you interested in technical writing?

One of the top 100 best jobsIt pays pretty wellJob availabilityTransition from other careersTransition to other careers

This PresentationWhat is a technical writer/communicatorTypes of jobs we haveTypes of publications we developWho we work forHow to get experienceCareer pathsEducationHow to get “technical”Tools we useHow to find jobsContract vs Perm JobsSalaries

Technical Writer Umbrella

Technical CommunicatorUser Assistance DeveloperMedical WriterScience WriterProposal Writer

Technical Communicator Publications

Installation Manuals – hardware and/or softwareData sheetsUser guides – hardware and/or softwareProceduresPoliciesTechnical SpecificationsReference manualsProgrammer API guidesSoftware Application Developer KitsOnline HelpWeb sites and web site contentMaintenance manualsTraining materials

User Assistant

Helps bridge gap between users and productsResearches and understands usersDevelop documentation that answers user questionsPart of the product design team

Medical Writer

Ghost writer for doctors, researchersEditor for medical journalsWriter of clinical reportsWrites submission documents for regulatory agenciesBiological science background or education

Science Writer

Journalist focusing on science topicsInterface between science and popular cultureInformation officers for science corporations writing press releases or grantsBooks on scientific issuesScience background or education

Technical Communicator

Performs a variety of writing dutiesProject managementEditorGraphic artistTechnical publications managerHas empathy for the end user

Department of Labor

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work. May 2008, 47,460 technical writersAverage hourly wage: $30.87Average annual wage: $64,210

Proposal Writer

Writes the executive summaryGathers information to respond to the RFPCoordinates the RFP responseEnsures ‘one voice’ throughout the proposalEnsures response meets deadlineEnsures response is in RFP format

Who Hires Technical Writers?

Large companies with existing departmentsIn the Atlanta area, IBM, AT&T, Cox Communications, UPS, Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Mirant, McKessonSmaller companies with no writing staff

How to Get Experience

Develop a portfolio – class work, anything done in your current or previous jobs, volunteer work publicationsWork for a larger company where you can gain experience and learnOffer to write in your current jobVolunteer to write anywhere – neighborhood newsletter, church activities, sports activities

Career Paths

EditorWriterManagerInstructional DesignerTrainerMarketing CommunicationsRecruiter Teacher of Technical Writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in something, preferably in technical communication, English, or journalismMaster’s degree, preferably in technical communicationBachelor’s degree in a science, Master’s degree in Technical CommunicationGet technical!

How to “Get Technical”

Questions, questions, questionsCourses and certificates in a programming language (JavaScript, C++), HTML, CSSCourses in electronics, mechanics, networking, scienceGain industry knowledge – chemical, mechanical, RF, aviation, medical

Tools We UseOur brains!Online Help: RoboHelp, Doc-to-Help, Flare, HTMLDocumentation: Word, FrameMaker, Interleaf, Acrobat, VisioWeb development: HTML, Flare, Web Expression, SharePointDrawing: CorelDraw, IllustratorPhoto editing: PhotoShop, The GimpScreen capture: SnagIt, FullShot

How to Find Jobs

Network! STC, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Friends, Acquaintances, Indeed.comAgencies – for contract and perm workWherever software programming happens, technical writing is neededWhere products are created, documentation is needed

Contract vs. Perm

Permanent through agency or direct from adsContract through agency (W-2)Self-employed contract (W-2 or 1099)

Contract Technical Communicators

Must have experience to hit the ground runningMust have project management experienceExpect to be asked to do anythingBe flexibleNo benefitsNo guarantees – can be let go at any timeCan quit if you don’t like itVariety Feeling you are a second class citizen

Permanent Technical Communicators

More job securityPaid vacations, holidays, sick timeOther company benefits (401K, pension, tuition, stock options, etc)ConsistencyChance to thoroughly learn a productMaybe boredomCareer path

What does it pay?Not as much as it did…. Permanent: $30,000 to start (no experience)Managers: $55,000 and upExperienced Consultants: $45/hour and upInexperienced contract writers: $20 and upExperienced Contract writers: $35 and upThe more technical you are, the more you can earnSTC salary survey

The Future for Technical Writers

Good! Jobs are opening upMore is going to contract work or contract to perm

If you want these slides…

Send email to K1310B@aol.com

Kathleen Baine 770-265-0751