Technical writing: A Booming Career Option
Technical writing is the process in which the knowledge of technology as well as writing plays an important part. It is the way in which information is conveyed in a readable and easy to understand manner to the particular end user. In the words of Sharon J. Gerson and Steven M. Gerson "Technical Writing is a communication written for and about business and industry. Technical writing focuses on products and services- how to manufacture them, market them, manage them, deliver them, and use them."
Apart from having a flair for writing, a technical writer (also known as a technical communicator) should be proficient in how software functions. A technical writer should also have a sharp troubleshooting skill and an inclination towards finding technological ways so that users benefit on a global scale.
Technical writing as a booming career
With the advancement of IT companies being set up in India, the scope and demand of technical writers is increasing day by day. The various domains include software, aerospace, health sector, medicine, dotcoms, e- learning where technical writing now plays a significant role.
The pay package also seems reasonable as compared to past years. According to the STC India 2011 Salary Survey, the following key results have been found:
"The survey shows the median salary level of Indian Technical Communicators in 2011 has increased by 1.3% compared to the same in 2010.
For a given experience level, the median salaries in Bangalore are the highest".
For budding technical writers you can always update yourself with the following forums in India
STC( Society for Technical Communications) India.
TWIN(Technical Writers Of India)
Technical writing involves preparing documentation. On the surface this may seem to be a very convenient career option, but a tedious process is involved concerning the preparation of these documents. Events that takes place during documentation:
• Gathering Information.
• Planning Documentation.
• Designing the document.
• Writing the content.
• Reviewing the content.
• Conduct a field Evaluation.
• Delivering the Document.
• Maintaining the Document.
Role of a technical writer:
• They write, design and analyze manuals, webpages and any other kind of professional documents.
• They organize complex topics and communicate concepts in a clear, simplified and concise manner with the appropriate use of punctuations, syntax, styles and layout. Thus they act as a bridge between people who are into technology and those who use those technologies.
Skills needed to be a technical writer:
• You should have good communication skills.
• You should be good at writing things i.e. to explain a difficult concept in the most readable way.
• Now a days the knowledge of technology is desirable especially if you want to work in the information technology (IT) domain. The familiarization on the most commonly used authoring tool is readily desirable.
• You should be handy at experimenting, exploring and testing on how the various software works.
What are the tools that a technical writer should be familiar with?
The various authoring tools that technical writers use today are:
• Robohelp
• Author IT
• Framemaker
• Epic Editor
• MS Visio
• Microsoft Word
• Isodraw
• Photoshop
• Snag IT
As a technical writer, you would always have a choice to move for any of these career options:
• Content writer/ developer
• Instruction Designer
• Technical illustrator
• E-learning Developer
According to web searches, technical writing is one of the most stress free, high paying job. With the pioneering of new technological products and advancement of IT sectors in India, this profession is soon going to become one of the most desirable career option in days to come.
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