Employers Prefer College Training in Technical Communication
Training creates qualified technical writers that are valued by industry and business. Evidence of this can be observed in the numerous job ads everyday in our newspapers, trade journals, professional journals, and online at websites like Monster.com and others. This is not surprising because our whole working world depends on written communication. So you ask how does someone get training to enter into the technical writing field? Probably two of the most important requirements a technical writer needs are good listening and writing skills. The writer should also have a college degree and training to be familiar with computers, the software , and communication equipment. Although certification in technical communication certainly qualifies someone to be a technical writer, many come from engineering or scientific backgrounds. What qualifies them is their innate ability to assimilate and convey information in a clear and effective manner. Often some also improve their writing abilities even more through training, by enrolling in technical writing courses given at certain colleges or universities. A good technical communicator is creative, inquisitive, able to express ideas clearly and logically and enjoys writing. Today more than ever, the technical writer has the ability (or should have) to concentrate amid the confusion, and work under pressure. He must also stay motivated without losing respect for the other writers, editors and SMEs he works with on assignments. Another very important quality a good technical writer has is people skills because he or she meets and must deal with all types. More, the technical writer is required and must be capable to work on all types of document projects and do it quickly. Typing skills and mastery of spelling and grammar are a must. However, some writers work only on one specific type for example -- API documentation, proposals, engineering reports, company online newsletters, medical, or environmental material. In a perfect world there would be standards that everyone understands, adheres to, and respects. Unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world and every employer has a different idea of what they seek in technical writers. Some employers look for a broad background and a university degree in liberal arts, while others prefer to hire people with degrees in communications, journalism, or English. Still others, prefer a engineering background complimented with technical college certificate or diploma this is the group I come from. After certification following the completion of a three year mechanical engineering technology course at Dawson College , I enrolled into an intensive one year technical writing training course. After doing this I received my certificate in aerospace technical writing from John Abbott College . Technical writers who specialize in particular areas, such as fashion, business, medicine, pharmaceuticals, or law, are required to have additional background in the chosen field. Increasingly, degrees in and some knowledge about engineering, business, or one of the sciences is being asked for. An additional ability and ease in complimentary fields like web design, computer graphics, or other technology areas is also being increasingly asked for. This trend is evolving because of the growing demand for graphics and representational design training that is crucial in developing specialized technical documentation. An ability to talk clearly and effectively with people to extract information allows for easier information gathering. It also allows ideas to be expressed to listeners whether they are your team members, clients or your boss. An inexpensive method to improve your ability to speak in public is to join Toastmasters, the alternative is to enroll and pay for the excellent Dale Carnegie public speaking courses. Knowing a second or even a third language sometimes improves your chances for employment because of our global economies. He or she should also be familiar with the modern tools of the trade such as electronic publishing, photo editing, graphics, and even video editing and production software, wired and wireless electronic communications. A good technical writer also must be prepared to continue learning and absorb new information and its implications. He must also know how to inspect and evaluate projects quickly and thoroughly. This is very important if you are a contractor. Finally, a technical writer must demonstrate good judgment and have a strong sense of ethics in deciding what material to publish. To get work you have to prepare a portfolio of technical writing samples to show potential employers. Your samples, may include projects from your college or university courses or volunteer work and any professional stuff. A recommended method to get advise and to make contacts with other writers and editors is to visit clubs and associations like some of these: the STC or Society for Technical Communication, National Writers Union, American Society of Indexers, American Medical Writers Association. Networking at these occasions improves your chances for important information about available work, companies, new trends etc. Another avenue for contacts is to call and visit various business networking groups, for example here in Montreal we have BNI or Business Networking International, Networking + Plus in the West Island to name a few. Direct application to employers and "cold calling" by telephone still remains one of the most effective job search methods.
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