Looking for a new challenge? Interested in a career that allows you to use your
writing skills to communicate with technology-savvy customers? Then consider
technical writing. What is technical writing? It is, essentially, the
language that non-technical people use when talking to software or hardware
instructions (e.g., how to operate a computer, keep track of expenses, program a
VCR, etc.). It is considered a subset of software documentation, but it can also
include things like user guides and manuals. Essentially, it is the “how-to”
guides and tutorials that you might find online or in a digital manual that
someone uses to operate a sophisticated piece of software or equipment. Let’s
look at some examples.
Web Development and Documentation
If you’re interested in a career in web development, you’ll likely work with
a lot of text-based documentation. A lot of this documentation might also be in
technical writing, since the web developers that you’ll work with might not
know how to use popular programs like Photoshop or Illustrator to create
illustrations or graphic designs. You’ll learn how to put things like HTML and
CSS to use as well as how to effectively communicate with web developers to
ensure that everything is working as it should. In this case, you might learn a
little bit of software documentation along with your web documentations, but it
isn’t required in any way.
Computer Programming/Software Engineering
If you get excited about computer programming and software engineering, then
you’ll likely be working with a lot of text-based documentation. You might also
be required to write a lot of small programs as part of your training —
something that isn’t particularly unique to these two disciplines. In most cases,
you’ll learn how to properly write a function or procedure that accomplishes a
specific task, how to structure your code in a logical manner, and how to
document it all properly. You might also learn a little bit of computing along the
way — how to use compilers, debuggers, and other pieces of software that
engineers use to develop programs. The documentation in this case can be a
combination of both computer programming and software engineering techniques,
but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. For example, you might be asked to
document the process of creating a simple logo in Photoshop in order to properly
understand how to use the software for yourself.
Electrical Engineering
If you’re an electrical engineer or work in some other technical field
related to electricity, then you’ll almost certainly be required to write
documentation for your projects. These could include anything from project
plans to software manuals and operating instructions. In most cases, you’ll be
asked to document your work and present it in a clear and concise manner. You
might also be expected to present your findings in a written report, create
bibtex entries for your literature review, and present these in a conference
proceeding or academic journal article. Essentially, whatever the subject matter
of your work, you’ll be expected to document it and use clear and concise
writing to do so. You’ll learn a lot along the way, and it’ll be considered a
legitimate part of your education. For example, the study of electricity is
considered part of the physical sciences curriculum in most western
schools.
Mining and Manufacturing
If you get a job in a mine or manufacturing facility related to computers,
software, or electrical engineering, you’ll almost certainly need to learn how to
write text-based documentation. The documentation for a mine or factory is
typically done using a computer-aided design program called a CAD suite (e.g.,
Autocad or Solidworks). These programs allow for the design of almost
everything related to a mine or factory, including blueprints, floor plans,
sectional views, and much more. As part of your job, you’ll learn how to use
these programs and the documentation that they produce. If you get very good at
using these programs, you might even be able to create some pretty complex
documents and drawings from scratch. This is definitely a field that requires
some education and experience, but doesn’t necessarily require a formal
education in text-based documentation. Simply understanding the fundamentals of
writing and using correct grammar and spelling should be sufficient for this
role.
Sales
If you get a job in sales, then you’ll be expected to learn how to properly
document your work. You might also be asked to create marketing materials
(e.g., brochures, flyers, or direct-mail campaigns) and to conduct marketing
research. In most cases, you’ll be expected to work on project reports,
presentations, and summaries of your findings. You might also be asked to
analyze sales and marketing materials (e.g., brochures, websites, or social
media posts) to determine their impact on prospective customers. In most
companies, you’ll learn a lot about proper grammatical and spelling use as you
document your work. Additionally, being able to effectively communicate with
other writers and users of the software you’re documenting is also a crucial
skill for this role. Just knowing how to use Microsoft Word effectively is
usually sufficient for this role, but it’s not always required that you have a
formal education in text-based documentation. Simply understanding the
fundamentals of writing and using correct grammar and spelling should be
sufficient for this role.
Operations Management
If you get a job in operations management, then you’ll be expected to learn
how to document your work. You might also be asked to create reports and
presentations about the operations of your department or company. You might
also be expected to analyze existing operations and to make suggestions for
improvement. Essentially, you’ll learn how to write reports and make
presentations, which is a skill that many people in this field consider
essential. Being able to write clearly and concisely is also vital for this
role, so that your reports and presentations can be easily understood by your
supervisors and/or coworkers. In most cases, you’ll learn a lot about how to
write proper reports and make effective presentations as you document your work.
Since this is a crucial part of the job, it’s also usually one of the first
things that you’ll learn — along with getting the basics down like spelling
and grammar. In most companies, you’ll learn how to use Microsoft Word
effectively, and a lot of operations management positions even require
some knowledge of Microsoft Excel as well.
Advertising & Brand Management
If you get a job in advertising or brand management, then you’ll be expected
to learn how to write text-based documentation. The documentation for an
advertising/brand management department is typically done using a web-based
software program called a content management system (e.g., WordPress or Shopify).
This type of software allows you to create and maintain websites, blogs, and
social media pages for your clients (e.g., products or services that you’re
marketing). Essentially, you’ll learn how to use word processors, email
software, and social media platforms to create and maintain websites, blogs, and
social media pages. Being able to write and maintain these types of
websites/blogs/social media pages is considered a crucial part of the job
description. Many people in this field consider it essential to have a formal
education in text-based documentation. Simply knowing how to use Microsoft Word
effectively is usually sufficient for this role, but being able to write
clearly and concisely is also vital for this role.
Copywriting
If you get a job in copywriting, then you’ll be expected to learn how to
write text-based documentation. The documentation for a copywriting department
is typically done using a word processor or a web-based software program called a
content management system (e.g., WordPress or Shopify). This type of software
allows for the creation and maintenance of websites, blogs, and social media
pages. Copywriting is all about getting someone to think, act, or buy a
particular product or service by using words and compelling copy to do so. The
most important thing for a copywriter is to be able to write clearly and
concisely. Simply knowing how to use Microsoft Word effectively is usually
sufficient for this role, but being able to write clearly and concisely is
usually also sufficient for this role.