Presented at Currents Conference 2010, the technical communication conference of the Society for Technical Communication's Atlanta chapter.

1. So, You Want to Be a
Technical Writer?
Kathleen Baine
Oak Tree Writing Services

2. Why are you interested in
technical writing?
One of the top 100 best jobs
It pays pretty well
Job availability
Transition from other careers
Transition to other careers

3. This Presentation
What is a technical writer/communicator
Types of jobs we have
Types of publications we develop
Who we work for
How to get experience
Career paths
Education
How to get “technical”
Tools we use
How to find jobs
Contract vs Perm Jobs
Salaries

4. Technical Writer Umbrella
Technical Communicator
User Assistance Developer
Medical Writer
Science Writer
Proposal Writer

5. Technical Communicator
Publications
Installation Manuals – hardware and/or software
Data sheets
User guides – hardware and/or software
Procedures
Policies
Technical Specifications
Reference manuals
Programmer API guides
Software Application Developer Kits
Online Help
Web sites and web site content
Maintenance manuals
Training materials

6. User Assistant
Helps bridge gap between users and
products
Researches and understands users
Develop documentation that answers
user questions
Part of the product design team

7. Medical Writer
Ghost writer for doctors, researchers
Editor for medical journals
Writer of clinical reports
Writes submission documents for
regulatory agencies
Biological science background or
education

8. Science Writer
Journalist focusing on science topics
Interface between science and popular
culture
Information officers for science
corporations writing press releases or
grants
Books on scientific issues
Science background or education

9. Technical Communicator
Performs a variety of writing duties
Project management
Editor
Graphic artist
Technical publications manager
Has empathy for the end user

10. 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 writers
Average hourly wage: $30.87
Average annual wage: $64,210

11. Proposal Writer
Writes the executive summary
Gathers information to respond to the
RFP
Coordinates the RFP response
Ensures ‘one voice’ throughout the
proposal
Ensures response meets deadline
Ensures response is in RFP format

12. Who Hires Technical Writers?
Large companies with existing
departments
In the Atlanta area, IBM, AT&T, Cox
Communications, UPS, Home Depot,
Coca-Cola, Mirant, McKesson
Smaller companies with no writing staff

13. How to Get Experience
Develop a portfolio – class work, anything
done in your current or previous jobs,
volunteer work publications
Work for a larger company where you can
gain experience and learn
Offer to write in your current job
Volunteer to write anywhere – neighborhood
newsletter, church activities, sports activities

14. Career Paths
Editor
Writer
Manager
Instructional Designer
Trainer
Marketing Communications
Recruiter
Teacher of Technical Writing

15. Education
Bachelor’s degree in something,
preferably in technical communication,
English, or journalism
Master’s degree, preferably in technical
communication
Bachelor’s degree in a science, Master’s
degree in Technical Communication
Get technical!

16. How to “Get Technical”
Questions, questions, questions
Courses and certificates in a
programming language (JavaScript,
C++), HTML, CSS
Courses in electronics, mechanics,
networking, science
Gain industry knowledge – chemical,
mechanical, RF, aviation, medical

17. Tools We Use
Our brains!
Online Help: RoboHelp, Doc-to-Help, Flare,
HTML
Documentation: Word, FrameMaker,
Interleaf, Acrobat, Visio
Web development: HTML, Flare, Web
Expression, SharePoint
Drawing: CorelDraw, Illustrator
Photo editing: PhotoShop, The Gimp
Screen capture: SnagIt, FullShot

18. How to Find Jobs
Network!
STC, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook,
Friends, Acquaintances, Indeed.com
Agencies – for contract and perm work
Wherever software programming
happens, technical writing is needed
Where products are created,
documentation is needed

19. Contract vs. Perm
Permanent through agency or direct
from ads
Contract through agency (W-2)
Self-employed contract (W-2 or 1099)

20. Contract Technical
Communicators
Must have experience to hit the ground running
Must have project management experience
Expect to be asked to do anything
Be flexible
No benefits
No guarantees – can be let go at any time
Can quit if you don’t like it
Variety
Feeling you are a second class citizen

21. Permanent Technical
Communicators
More job security
Paid vacations, holidays, sick time
Other company benefits (401K, pension,
tuition, stock options, etc)
Consistency
Chance to thoroughly learn a product
Maybe boredom
Career path

22. What does it pay?
Not as much as it did….
Permanent: $30,000 to start (no experience)
Managers: $55,000 and up
Experienced Consultants: $45/hour and up
Inexperienced contract writers: $20 and up
Experienced Contract writers: $35 and up
The more technical you are, the more you
can earn
STC salary survey

23. The Future for Technical
Writers
Good!
Jobs are opening up
More is going to contract work or
contract to perm

24. If you want these slides…
Send email to K1310B@aol.com
Kathleen Baine 770-265-0751