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daryl_ks
Joined: 23 Jun 2014
Posts: 23
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 Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 7:05 am Post subject: Technical Writing - Building skills, finding jobs... |
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Hi there,
I'm quite interested in work as a technical writer as a way to supplement my current career (or even possibly as a future career).
I also think this could be a useful skill for potential corporate-ESL type positions (correct me if I'm wrong).
Call me weird (thanks), but I've always been interested in manuals and process/descriptive type writing and would like to make a go at this.
Any current/former technical writers out there with some advice?
Cheers |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 8:19 am Post subject: |
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Before switching careers to teaching, I worked in health care in a role that also entailed technical writing. I've just finished a Master in Educational Technology and to complement my MET and spruce up my tech writing skills, I've been concurrently completing a mastery-level technical communication certificate. (See Techwriter-Certification.) I'm in the US, by the way.
You'd have to check out the job market in your country (New Zealand?) to see what types of technical writing domains exist. I've noticed some (US) job ads require instructional and curriculum designers to have tech writing skills. I've also seen the reverse: technical writing jobs that entail knowledge and/or experience in instructional and curriculum design. It obviously depends on the scope of responsibilities for the position as well as the industry (e.g., publishers of ESL and academic materials hire tech writers), and there's some overlap between the two skill sets.
You might take a look at the following: |
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daryl_ks
Joined: 23 Jun 2014
Posts: 23
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 8:36 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Nomad,
Those links are really helpful. I'd been looking at some certificate-level qualifications in NZ but need to talk to course advisers to see how those certs match my skill-set / expectations.
I've come across a NZ-based professional organization which looks like it might be a good start (https://www.tcanz.org.nz/). Might go along to one of their events as they do mentoring for members.
I'd figured that there might be some overlap with the instructional design skill set. Nice for someone to confirm that.
As you might have guessed, I've been doing some serious thinking about my future in this industry.
How important are web design or Adobe skills (e.g. framemaker, etc). Is that a 'must-have' ( to be competitive) or more complementary in your point of view? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 9:26 am Post subject: |
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| daryl_ks wrote: |
| How important are web design or Adobe skills (e.g. framemaker, etc). Is that a 'must-have' ( to be competitive) or more complementary in your point of view? |
Since a lot of technical and instructional content is digital, you need to have some skills with technolgy. Advanced MS Word skills are essential as are software programs like MS Visio (for creating flow charts and diagrams) and Adobe FrameMaker, the key tool for tech writers. Some employers want to see experience with Adobe Creative Suite as well as HTML and CSS skills, but it depends on the tech writer's role per the employer and industry. Look at actual job ads in NZ to see which applications and skills are most mentioned and use that as a guide. Additionally, talk to tech writers employed at your university and those at tcanz.org.
Technical writing is another option for EFL teachers looking to transition out of teaching if they're willing to take a tech writing/communication cert course either online or on campus through a university in their home country. Employers especially like applicants with degrees in journalism, English, communications, and computer science. Teachers who have taught academic writing have even more of an advantage. Moreover, there are opportunities to work remotely. |
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daryl_ks
Joined: 23 Jun 2014
Posts: 23
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| Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2016 7:42 pm Post subject: |
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Cheers Nomad,
I've spent the past 5 years working primarily in Business English and EAP programs. Have also spent most of that time as an IELTS examiner. I'd like to think there are some transferable skills there.
Notice that the following crop up quite often when I search 'skills for technical writers' on google "MadCap Flare, RoboHelp, and even PageMaker and Quark "...
Now need to find if there are any courses (local or online) I can do...
I do remember that Adobe has a number of online self-paced courses. Have you done any of those? |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 3:44 am Post subject: |
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| daryl_ks wrote: |
I've spent the past 5 years working primarily in Business English and EAP programs. Have also spent most of that time as an IELTS examiner. I'd like to think there are some transferable skills there.
Notice that the following crop up quite often when I search 'skills for technical writers' on google "MadCap Flare, RoboHelp, and even PageMaker and Quark "...
Now need to find if there are any courses (local or online) I can do...
I do remember that Adobe has a number of online self-paced courses. Have you done any of those? |
The reason why you see a variety of software requirements is because some are more common in certain industries. For example, tech writing in a marketing or publishing environment isn't the same as creating online help instructions or digital operating manuals for a software company -- different industries, different software requirements. Also, some job ads may list umpteen software applications but will indicate that job applicants have experience in at least one or two applcations.
My ed technology program included some software applications (mainly Adobe) and web design (straight HTML and CSS) with the focus on instruction/instructional design. I learned other software on my own how-to ebooks, and I have free access to Lynda.com through my university. (Check with your university to see if Lynda.com is free for staff and faculty.) Although I have experience using Adobe InDesign, I'll probably pick up Adobe FrameMaker toward the end of my tech writing course this spring.
But before you jump into learning any software, I suggest you contact TechCommNZ for guidance about the best technical communication/writing cert courses for you and start there. You don't have as many options in NZ as we have in the US, though I'm sure there are professional development or continuing education courses in your area (and possibly the university you currently work at). |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 3:45 am Post subject: |
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| For a clear explanation of what technical writing is, see What is Technical Writing? |
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daryl_ks
Joined: 23 Jun 2014
Posts: 23
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| Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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Cheers Nomad for all the insight,
Indeed our university has access to Lynda, so will start there with a few courses and videos.
Have started building up a bank of job postings to identify key skills that companies are looking for in NZ.
Have identified a local college that has a certificate level course in technical comms.
And the local professional association does mentor new writers to help them break into the industry (will attend their next networking event to start meeting some people).
I was gonna look into some of the software (e.g. framemaker and madcap flare), but was astonished by the prices... Wondering how I can get access to these... I can't really afford AUS$1400 for a single piece of software 
Do freelance tech writers actually pay those prices?
Next step (eventually) will be to start putting a portfolio and tech writer CV together.
Cheers again! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 3:06 am Post subject: |
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You go! We don't often see this level of drive on the forums. 
Software can be pricey, but it helps being a student or teacher. For example, several years ago I paid a special student price of $350 US for Adobe Creative Suite CS6 (includes Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, InDesign, Flash...); it retails for over $1000. Since you work at a university, check with your IT department and bookstore about reduced-price software. Additionally, you can download a 30-day trial of Framemaker for free, which would give you a month to learn it. Adobe also has monthly subscriptions for their products (FrameMaker 2015 is $29.99 AUS/month). But again, don't fuss with any software until you're well into your tech comm course or it's required for assignments. The software is simply a tool; the focus is on writing skills and style. In fact, all of my tech writing assignments are done in Word.
What's the link to your tech comm course? |
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daryl_ks
Joined: 23 Jun 2014
Posts: 23
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guobaoyobro
Joined: 10 Dec 2015
Posts: 73
Location: China
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| Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 2:27 am Post subject: |
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Adobe now offers their suite online for (I believe) $9.99 / mo.
This is good if you want to jump on, test the waters, learn something new, etc.
Give it a shot. |
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daryl_ks
Joined: 23 Jun 2014
Posts: 23
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| Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 6:31 am Post subject: |
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https://creative.adobe.com/plans?promoid=KSPAK&store_code=nz
Creative Cloud = 49.99 per month
But can get access for 14.99 per month through the university (in fact department may even pay for it - institutional memberships - YAY!)
Not a bad deal at all. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2016 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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| daryl_ks wrote: |
| The professional organization I have joined emailed me back. The guy there basically said worry about 'fully' mastering word first and really get a handle of using and formatting 'styles'... I've always thought I'm pretty good with Word, but there's always more to learn... |
Word has a variety of features you'll find useful. For example, I've created drop down forms and updateable table of contents. It also has a review feature you'd likely use for tech writing. See if your uni has the most recent version of Office Suite (professional). And if you can get Visio, that's a plus.
That's the course that seems to best suit your writing goals for different domains. Check with your experts since they're probably familiar with the course. |
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