Certificate or Degree for Technical Writing

I also received by BA in English. I now have my MA in Technical and Professional Communication from East Carolina University. It's a great online program. I highly recommend it! See core.ecu.edu/engl/tpc/tekkom/tpc.htm for more info.

I even had a classmate who was stationed in Korea the entire time she was in the program.

Thank you for your advice and program recommendation. I'll look into their program as a possibility. Can you give me a sense regarding the typical salary for a beginning technical writer?

Thanks.

I made about 30K but that was about 10 years ago. I'm sure it all depends on where you are, your education, experience and the company. Some positions in my area (Raleigh, NC) start in the mid 30s +. Many writing jobs, especially in the pharmacuetical industry, often have higher salaries.

Thanks for taking the time to respond to my question. After getting a certificate, I would need to find part time work since I still have my little ones running around.

Hopefully, technical writing can be a way for me to use my writing skills for income. I'm thinking about researching blogging but I'm not sure how that goes.
Thanks again.

Possible technical writer in Yorktown Heights, New York said: I am exploring the possibility of taking some online courses in technical writing. I have a Bachelor Degree in English and enjoy writing. Can I obtain an entry level technical writer position with a technical writing certificate? If so, can anyone recommend a reputable program? I would like to work from home if possible. Thank you.

Schooling and a degree in English doesn't make a good tech writer, I don't care what college told you that. The interest in your subject. The ability to write to the user of a product clearly and concisely. The ability to understand technology quickly and to write to the correct audience.

Working from home is great but not without experience. Unless you're just reformatting. And then you need work connections.

Technical writing requires many skills including the ability to change horses in mid-stream. Working from home is not something I recommend to a novice writer, even if you could find such a position for part-time work. An understanding of the requirements of the ocmpany you work for and the abillity to know your audience is essential. A degree in English has little to do with the requirements of technical writing! You will also want to decide what area of technical writing you are qualified for, do you have any background in software, hardware, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, training, health care, or the military? Sorry to sound so negative but technical writing is a demanding career that will require you to approach it as a dedicated professional.

James Barakaat in Chicago, Illinois said: I encourage anyone who wants to break into Technical Writing to take at least one course in Technical Writing. This is where the methodology of technical communication is taught. Many believe that a degree in English and/or knowing how to string words, sentences, and paragraphs together is enough. It is not enough if one doesn't learn the methodology of creating technical documents.

I have been a technical writer for many years with business and technology degrees that includes a Masters degree in Technical and Scientific Communication. I presently consult and teach for an online university. I believe that anyone with a good command of English can be a good technical writer if they learn to do the following:

1. You do front-end analysis, You know the purpose and the audience for the documentation.

2. You research to provide the information that satisfies the purpose for the intended audience.

3. You organize the information and present it in a form suitable for the purpose of the intended audience.

4. You do usability testing. You use reader(s) as representative sample(s) of the audience to test the documentation. You monitor and take notes to determine where the documentation works and where it doesn't work. You must make it clear to participants that you are testing the documentation and not them participants. (Use search engine to learn more about usability testing. No matter how good you may be, usability testing is the key to determining good documentation).

5. You revise until the documentation works as intended.

I have seen

James, I too have been a technical writer for many years,this is one the finest descriptions of what it takes to be a technical writer...thank you!

Schooling is wonderful but don't be deterred. The best schooling is still on the job.

Thank you James for such amazing information. I am will keep all in mind. To everyone, I would like to break into technical writing. It seems wise for me to go into "PHARMACEUTICAL"/MEDICAL. What type of classes would I need to take to break into this specific nitch???? then after some classes, To put my foot in the door after trianing, I suppose I can simply contact the companies, or a technical writing agency? I know these questions don't seem to bright, but I am a fish out of water in this department. Technical writing branches into all departments, beauty, make-up , body products" is my second area of interest. Software's my thrd choice.

Sorry everyone for the typohhs!, but it is almost 2am in the morning and I am very tired.

Marilyn,

Thanks so much for all this great information and guidance.

I appreciate your taking the time to respond to my request.

I have a strong background in medical curricula writing, mostly ghost writing for physicians for JAMA. 20 years experience as a medical professional and now looking for something less physical. Unfortunately colleges laugh at my military education which was supposed to be equivalent to an associates degree. My patients never laughed...they always requested me personally...just as physicians did. I just find it hard to swallow that my 20 years of experience is "worthless" so I am trying to transition into a field where my experience as well as my writing skills would be an asset.

My concerns are that there are so many fly-by-night online places to get a "certificate" and I am more than prepared to earn my way BUT I just don't want to get ripped off. I am already the proud owner of several other hard-earned "certificates" (HR and Management) which aren't worth the paper they are printed on. Seems if you don't have a "degree" that you can't get your foot in the door. How do you move past that little issue? I am looking at 50 right around the corner, three teenagers headed toward college, and I need more than a shiny certificate to get a job.

This woman is not a stranger to hard work and I am more than willing to do what needs to be done---I just can't afford to be ripped off again. Are there apprentice positions in the technical writing field?

@Nat Palm -

You don't necessarily need a technical writing certificate but taking a course or two could be useful. I am working on my certificate through a local community college that offers continuing education courses. I would recommend looking for something like that in your area.

Career-wise I am in a similar place. My experience is as a Systems Engineer doing everything from web and database development to general IT support for several years. I wrote documentation as a secondary role. I've been feeling pretty burned out and unfocused and after my last layoff due to a restructuring of the IT department, I decided I wanted to focus on Technical Writing. I landed my first technical writing gig before even finishing my certificate (it's listed on my resume with an expected completion date). I took enough courses to build up enough samples for my portfolio so that I could apply for tech writing work.

Because you have experience and expertise in a subject area, like I do, you are a stronger candidate regardless of your certificate status. To gain experience, I volunteered my technical writing skills to open source software projects and put that experience on my resume as a job. I would recommend looking for a non-profit or community project where you can volunteer your writing skills. I would also recommend taking a few technical writing courses just for the experience (if you can find one on writing white papers in particular, that would be valuable in your given field of expertise).

Your previous experience is not worthless, nor is a technical writing certificate! It's a tough economy out there so you have to be extra resourceful :) Good Luck!

Nat Palm in Corona, California said: I have a strong background in medical curricula writing, mostly ghost writing for physicians for JAMA. 20 years experience as a medical professional and now looking for something less physical. Unfortunately colleges laugh at my military education which was supposed to be equivalent to an associates degree. My patients never laughed...they always requested me personally...just as physicians did. I just find it hard to swallow that my 20 years of experience is "worthless" so I am trying to transition into a field where my experience as well as my writing skills would be an asset.

My concerns are that there are so many fly-by-night online places to get a "certificate" and I am more than prepared to earn my way BUT I just don't want to get ripped off. I am already the proud owner of several other hard-earned "certificates" (HR and Management) which aren't worth the paper they are printed on. Seems if you don't have a "degree" that you can't get your foot in the door. How do you move past that little issue? I am looking at 50 right around the corner, three teenagers headed toward college, and I need more than a shiny certificate to get a job.

This woman is not a stranger to hard work and I am more than willing to do what needs to be done---I just can't afford to be ripped off again. Are there apprentice positions in the technical writing field?

As a Technical Writer with over 25 years experience, I'm happy to tell you that certificates and degrees don't cut it. If I applied for a writer position within the medical field I wouldn’t even get a response because all my experience has nothing to do with the that particular industry related field. It’s much easier to train someone to use the software required to publish the documentation than to train someone of what information the end user needs. Because of your experience you know what information the end user is looking for and how it relates to the industry,

I started my career in translation and technical writing, then branched off into training design and delivery, and training administgration. I was recently laid off and am looking to get back to technical writing. Many of the job postings I've applied for, however, ask for knowledge of FrameMaker and RoboHelp. Can anyone recommend an online-course on some of these programs?

Mariana in El Paso, Texas said: Many of the job postings I've applied for, however, ask for knowledge of FrameMaker and RoboHelp. Can anyone recommend an online-course on some of these programs?

You can download free 30-day demos of both programs. The great thing about documentation programs is that they come with excellent documentation. :)

FrameMaker I admittedly found confusing and unfriendly, but I was able to teach myself RoboHelp in two days. If you have a basic background in desktop publishing and Web design, RoboHelp is very easy to use and the video tutorials are very helpful. The same goes for its main competitor, MadCap Flare (which also has a 30-day free trial).

If anyone is out there looking for work as a tech writer, I cannot say this loud and often enough: DOWNLOAD THE DEMOS. LEARN THESE PROGRAMS. I'm in a two-year contract and I get phone calls from recruiters every other week because nobody else in my 500K-population city knows how to use Flare or RoboHelp - and they're really easy to learn.

Thank you all for the informative questions & answers. I am curious - is it foolish to think that I could begin a career in technical writing with a background in education? I am interested in the profession but do not have a technical background. It sounds like obtaining some education, writing some samples, volunteering time, etc. all help, but is my education degree a huge mark against me?

Thanks for your insight!

Hello all, and thank you for your insight and informative posts. I am curious - how difficult would it be to enter into the field of technical writing with a background in education? I see that it would be good to take a few classes, download the demo, write some samples, volunteer time, etc., but will my education degree be a huge mark against me?

Hi Jen in Houston,
I am also looking to get into technical writing and I can only give an opinion on your question, but I just wanted to say that I would think that an education degree would be a mark in your favor since teaching is part of technical writing. I mean it is taking something complicated and putting it in a manner that a user can easily understand. In other words you are writing instructions, which is the same thing as instructing. Here is a link that should prove helpful: www.bls.gov/oco/ocos319.htm

Good Luck to you!

I am journalist who has worked in print media for about 15 years, with experience in writing, editing and pagination. I am interested in getting into technical writing, because the newspaper business is sinking fast. I see many jobs for technical writers in the Northern Virginia area, but I don't even get responses when I apply. It seems like technical writing should be a logical step for me - as well as a relatively stable field - but from things I've read, maybe this isn't the case? I see conflicting advice on here, and really would like to know what I should do to make this transition. Why won't someone give me a chance? Experienced technical writers - can you help?

I just recently obtained my B.A in English and minor in professional writing. I am interested in breaking into technical woriting, although I have only had one tech writing class. Is it necessary that I obtain an MA in a specific tech communication area? I am just interested to know what my next step should be.

The best place to start getting trained in technical writing is to get basics about the sector that you want to apply for. It does not harm to get the knowledge of application programming (like Java or ASP.Net)
just the basics of it.. so that you know what the developers are talking about. Another great book for API documentation is this:
"Read Me first". I refer to the standards and conventions used in this book.

I was completely new to the technical writing domain.. and yes it is a very demanding field and to be a successful technical writer you must be very good at understanding the requirements, great at interpersonal skills, and ofcourse great at time-management.

University of Central Florida has a program B.A. English:Technical Communication and also an online M.A. though a bit harder to get into about 40% of applications get in. Instructional Design is another program that makes a nice fit with a B.A. in Technical Writing.

I have a question about salary. I'd like to get into technical writing; I've been in networking for the last few years, and I'm a published writer, but I'm making enough now that I'm not sure I'd be losing serious income by changing careers (I make roughly $50k/yr). Not that I expect to make this at an intro technical writer job, but I couldn't go too low under this. Someone in this forum stated that intro TW jobs are about $30k/yr? Is this accurate?

Thanks.

Technical writing is still writing, however, and requires proper grammar. Your first paragraph contains a multiplicity of basic errors.

You obviously have no idea what your talking about. I have a BA in English and just started a position in tech writing with no experience and only an English degree and I start out at way more than 30K. Maybe your just ignorant. Peace

Techone in Portland, Oregon said: Schooling and a degree in English doesn't make a good tech writer, I don't care what college told you that. The interest in your subject. The ability to write to the user of a product clearly and concisely. The ability to understand technology quickly and to write to the correct audience.

Working from home is great but not without experience. Unless you're just reformatting. And then you need work connections.

I'm in college now and majoring in English (emphasis in CW) and considering a minor in tech. comm. Will this minor be helpful in making a career in tech. writing? I'm also not sure what area to specialize in, so if there's anyone who would like to recommend some areas with higher demand please feel free. ;)

Jlamb in Athens, West Virginia said: You obviously have no idea what your talking about. I have a BA in English and just started a position in tech writing with no experience and only an English degree and I start out at way more than 30K. Maybe your just ignorant. Peace

You really have a degree in English? Yet you don't seem to know the difference between "your" and "you're." I don't have any degree at all, yet I've mastered that one. ;-) Perhaps you should be a bit more gracious with your judgments. Peace.

jen in Houston, Texas said: Thank you all for the informative questions & answers. I am curious - is it foolish to think that I could begin a career in technical writing with a background in education? I am interested in the profession but do not have a technical background. It sounds like obtaining some education, writing some samples, volunteering time, etc. all help, but is my education degree a huge mark against me?

Thanks for your insight!

Jen, I currently do technical writing for an educational software company. There is a great deal of remote work for ex-educators in this industry, and not not only technical writing. If you look up the terms "subject specialist" or "curriculum specialist" you will find many opportunities. About 5 years ago I was a project manager for a leading educational software company and managed 15+ ex-teachers who all worked from home, writing content and aligning content to educational standards. Good luck to you.

Thank you so much! I will look into it~!

Techone in Portland, Oregon said: Schooling and a degree in English doesn't make a good tech writer, I don't care what college told you that. The interest in your subject. The ability to write to the user of a product clearly and concisely. The ability to understand technology quickly and to write to the correct audience.

Working from home is great but not without experience. Unless you're just reformatting. And then you need work connections.

I'm sorry. This might seem a little rude but I wouldn't be willing to take advice about a writing career from someone who can't properly write.

i need some info and tips on technical writing. i havent gone to school yet and would like to know what the courses are for technical writing, how long the training is, what the work envoirment and work pace is like. is it a demanding job? what common knowledge is best for this type of career? what are good feilds to specialize in. i know i sound ill of the subject but id just like some advice before i go to school. i like to write. but i dont think journalism is for me. any info on this would be much appreciated.

I have a BA in English Language and Literature. I have extensive experience in publishing, editing and proofreading skills and liaison with subject matter experts, website design, and some coding. I write shorthand at 120 wpm, type at 80wpm and have extensive DTP skills. I use Visio, CorelDraw, Photoshop, FrameMaker and RoboHelp very well. I worked as a technical writer for several years before I decided to go to nursing school. I am now a Registered Nurse and since my graduation, have worked as a QA Nurse, working as a subject matter expert for an agency in the development of a software for remote field nurses. I was also responsible for training the field nurses in the use of the software. I find out that my interest is more in working as a technical writer using my skills as a documentation specialist and a nurse and marrying both. I wonder if anyone on this forum knows of opportunities that can use my diverse skills.

I have a BA in English Language. I have extensive experience in publishing, editing and proofreading skills and liaison with subject matter experts, website design, and some coding. I write shorthand at 120 wpm, type at 80wpm and have extensive DTP skills. I use Visio, CorelDraw, Photoshop, FrameMaker and RoboHelp very well. I worked as a technical writer for several years before I decided to go to nursing school. I am now a Registered Nurse and since my graduation, have worked as a QA Nurse, working as a subject matter expert for an agency in the development of a software for remote field nurses. I was also responsible for training the field nurses in the use of the software. I find out that my interest is more in working as a technical writer using my skills as a documentation specialist and a nurse and marrying both. I wonder if anyone on this forum knows of opportunities that can use my diverse skills.

Techone in Portland, Oregon said: Schooling and a degree in English doesn't make a good tech writer, I don't care what college told you that. The interest in your subject. The ability to write to the user of a product clearly and concisely. The ability to understand technology quickly and to write to the correct audience.

Working from home is great but not without experience. Unless you're just reformatting. And then you need work connections.

The ability to find the comma in the keyboard is also a significant advantage for a technical writer.

Apostrophe in Turlock, California said: You really have a degree in English? Yet you don't seem to know the difference between "your" and "you're." I don't have any degree at all, yet I've mastered that one. ;-) Perhaps you should be a bit more gracious with your judgments. Peace.

Good one..hehehe
janet new zealand

All, I have an engineering degree and have always gravitated more towards the documentation aspect of the job. My background is design development in the medical device industry which includes tons of project management experience. I enjoy writing and am presently considering acquiring a certificate and/or masters in technical communication. What types of job opportunities might this open up for me? I'm not quite sure where to begin to look for work. I thought the MS Tech Comm degree or certificate at NJIT looked interesting and also the International Writing School perhaps for a quick and practical, hands on route to enter the profession. Marcomm opportunities immediately come to mind as well, but then would I need a Marketing degree? I've have researched many potential careers that I might switch to as a 2nd career at this point in life and I keep coming back to writing. I have the technical background along with a detailed oriented nature. I am happiest when I am interviewing SMEs, researching and writing. It's time to figure out where/how to make a living doing what I do and love best. Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Just a comment for English majors wanting to do technical writing. There are jobs out there for you, I wouldn't be totally discouraged by some of the comments here. But if you want high pay it IS important to understand the subject matter. I am currently an engineer in the Silicon Valley. There is great demand for technical writers but only those who understand the subject matter are getting the high pays, > $100/hour! Very often, these are engineers-turned-tech-writers. Those who don't understand the subject matter can make as little as $25/hour after the agency gets its cut. We had the hardest time finding someone to write our documents (user manuals, datasheets) for a price that my start-up can afford. Engineers generally hate to and already have too much work on their plate to write. But in the end, I still had to generate the documents myself, and our technical writing consultant (English major) basically could only help me format it. Most competent engineers already have enough writing skills generate technical documents, it's just that they rather not do it. So if all you have is writing and formatting skills, you will still get jobs but just won't get paid as well.

Check this out: www.tc-train.net/

TCTrainNet is the new international training and certification program for technical writing / communication. It is founded on a worldwide network of professionals and experts in technical documentation / communication and information development.

Cheers!

amber in Wayne, New Jersey said: i need some info and tips on technical writing. i havent gone to school yet and would like to know what the courses are for technical writing, how long the training is, what the work envoirment and work pace is like. is it a demanding job? what common knowledge is best for this type of career? what are good feilds to specialize in. i know i sound ill of the subject but id just like some advice before i go to school. i like to write. but i dont think journalism is for me. any info on this would be much appreciated.

You dont want to go into journalism - no money in that. I got my degree in English and fell into technical writing for the gov't. I am thinking about getting my MA in Technical and Professional Communication from ECU, but really do NOT want to take the GRE. If you want to be a tech writer and you have an english degree, just take some basic courses and get a tech writer certificate. Or work your way into being a tech writer by first becoming a Correspondence Analysist. Once you grasp who your audience is, what the document needs to portray and finalizing the document - you should be fine.

I'm a technical writer in the northern Los Angeles area. I was settling into a nice position when my company collapsed and terminated its staff. Now I'm out of work and seeking the next technical writing opportunity. I think specialization in as many "hot" industries is the key--although still no guarantee--in today's especially volatile job market.

I started out with a bachelors degree in journalism and a foundation in science coursework. I worked for my first couple years in regulatory compliance (environmental/EPA) and air pollution control standards. I went back to school for my teaching certificate and wanted to get into science curriculum design, but I got derailed. I worked for the next few years in medical services writing lab/diagnostic/pharmaceutical documents and procedures. I also completed a couple technical programs in wind turbine technology and geographic information systems, and I have been working these angles lately.

I joined a start-up and knew the risks, but job loss is still no fun. I was enjoying the documentation responsibilities; assembly manuals; reference materials and quality analysis activities as the prototype was being built. It was a major disappointment leaving all my work (under confidentiality agreement) behind when the company locked us out.

One of the challenges I have found in this field is finding your niche in the "team environment" if that matters to you. As a technical writer you really don't belong anywhere but straddle many departments. And when all the departments--management, engineering, production and the support staff--all go out for their lunch parties, the technical writer will be sitting alone in his/her cubicle. Yet, there's something to be said about solitude. I think five months went by before the engineers realized that I wasn't the guy who took out their trash! (I added to their confusion while diligently attempting to preserve a recycling program I had started.)