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Career Exploration

Technical Writers

Also called: Documentation Specialist, Information Developer, Technical Communicator, Technical Writer

What they do:

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

On the job, you would:
  • Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
  • Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
  • Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
On the job, you'll need:

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Business

  • administrative services
  • management

Communications

  • multimedia

Basic Skills

  • writing things for co-workers or customers
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • communicate by writing
  • read and understand what is written

Ideas and Logic

  • use rules to solve problems
  • order or arrange things

Conventional

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Independence
  • Initiative

Web platform development software

  • Microsoft ASP.NET
  • Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP

Web page creation and editing software

  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Google Sites

Desktop publishing software

  • Adobe InDesign
  • Microsoft Publisher

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $79,960

Education

Associate's degree or bachelor's degree is usually needed.