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Technical Writers (often called technical publications writers) organize, write, and edit scientific and technical material such as reports, briefs, proposals instruction and service manuals, and catalogs. They may translate technical language into language more easily understood by users of their publications, or they may write in highly specialized language for experts.

JOB DUTIES

Technical Writers may:

Choose or be assigned a topic

Research the topic by reading, observing, or interviewing

Collect and edit notes

Write a rough draft

Rewrite for order, clarity, conciseness, terminology, and style

Review published materials and recommend changes

Maintain records and files of their work and revisions

Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material

Assist in laying out material for publication

Arrange for typing, duplicating, conciseness, terminology, and style

Write speeches, articles, and public or employee relation releases

The equipment and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

131.267-026 TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS WRITERS organize, write, and edit scientific and technical material such as reports, briefs, proposals, instruction and service manuals, and catalogs. They might translate technical language into easily understood wording, or they might use highly specialized language for experts.

Technical Publications Writers may edit, standardize, or revise material prepared by other writers or plant personnel and be known as standard-practice analysts. They may specialize in writing material regarding work methods and procedures and be known as process-description writers.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following CEscripts:

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WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Technical Writers may work under the supervision of an editor or company official. Some, however, are self-employed and are responsible only to those for whom they contract to write.

Working conditions vary with the particular assignment. Usually Technical Writers work in clean, well lighted, well ventilated areas. Self-employed Writers may work in their home, in libraries, or in an office. Technical Writers may spend some time observing the assembly of the equipment on which they are going to report and may be subject to loud noises.

Technical Writers employed by others usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week with occasional overtime when necessary to meet a deadline. Those who are self-employed are able to set their own working schedule and may have to furnish their own supplies and word processing services. Technical Writers may sometimes have to travel out-of-town to research a project.

Many Technical Writers join clubs or associations, such as, the National Association of Science Writers, Society for Technical Communication, and the Society of Authors' Representatives. As members, they must pay membership fees and periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Communicating ideas to others

• Working with scientific or technical information

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason logically

• Understand the meanings and relationships of words

• Rate information by a measurable/verifiable criteria/personal judgment

• Visualize three-dimensional objects/procedures from drawings/diagrams

• Organize material and write clearly

• Direct your writing to a particular audience

• Recognize details and errors in written and numerical data

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Use arithmetic quickly and accurately

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If you make $200 during an 8 hour day of researching, how much will you make if a certain project takes you a month of 40 hour weeks of researching?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Extended format analysis mode automatically analyses each track of the master for format type. The advantage is that copies can be made of most FM/MFM type disks. Extended mode should be used for ECMA formats.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Given the specifications for a new model of car, you must be able to translate them into easily understood language for inclusion in the new car's owner's manual.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best place to research different topics which would give you the best possible data.

Technical Publications Writer's must have a working knowledge of the field in which they work. Some course work in technical fields, such as engineering, business, or the sciences is increasingly being required as a condition of employment, as well as the ability to develop and present training programs using a variety of media.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A High School Diploma or Equivalent or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or A Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the CEscript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2100 LITERATURE , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this CEscript.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

208 TECHNICAL & BUSINESS WRITING

Programs in Technical and Business Writing provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in editing scientific and technical materials such as reports, briefs, and other technical publications. Employers generally look for those familiar with a wide range of topics. Individuals may also work in a business setting.

Courses will vary from school to school but may include:

       Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this CEscript.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this CEscript.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Writing experience may be gained by working for school newspapers. Most community colleges and universities now offer one or more courses in technical writing. Also, postsecondary education programs in technical and business writing may provide opportunities for practical experience.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Technical Writer employer

internships

volunteer work with a Technical Writer employer

community service work with an agency

Technical Writers usually enter this field by applying directly to employers. Some Technical Writers start as engineering technicians or drafters and, after gaining experience, obtain a writing position. Self employed Writers are usually experienced Technical Writers who have made several contacts over the years. Employers often advertise openings in the want ads of newspapers and trade journals, such as the monthly "Data Management". In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Society for Technical Communication (membership required)  

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Technical Writers vary widely depending on the writer's education, experience, and writing ability; the type of writing; the size and type of employer; and the geographic location. Self-employed technical writers may be paid a flat rate or by the number of words or published pages.

Nationally, Technical Writers in private industry had average annual salaries ranging between $52,300 and $80,200 in mid 2004. The average was $69,000. The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S.   were $32,240 in 2003.

In early 2004, Technical Writers who specialize in writing manuals and marketing brochures for users and internal reference materials in data processing earned from $28,800 to $75,000 a year.

In the federal government, those with a bachelor's degree started at $23,794 in 2004, while those with a bachelor's degree and one year of specialized experience began at $29,473 a year. The salaries of these federal government workers may be higher in some urban areas.

Free-lance writing can be an additional source of income. Some magazines pay $50 to $2,000 or more for special articles. Publishing booklets or manuals can add royalties to a Technical Writer's income.

In Michigan   , Technical Writers (early 2004) in the computer & data processing industries earned annual median salaries of:

Technical Writers may receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; sick leave; and retirement plans. Self-employed Technical Writers must pay the full cost of any of their benefits.

Talented Writers may advance to technical editor or to publications manager. Some Writers form their own consulting firms, and others advance by becoming specialists in particular subjects. They sometimes prepare syndicated newspaper columns or articles for popular magazines. Self employed Writers do not have a specific career ladder.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were approximately 46,000 Technical Writers employed in 2002. Employment is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. Opportunities will be best for experienced Writers and beginners who have both the ability to write and the appropriate technical education, such as in computer science or electronics. Those with minimum qualifications may face stiff competition. About 6.2% of them were self-employed.  The industry distribution for Technical Writers looked like this:

Within the data processing area, demand will grow because of a continued broadening and diversification of systems fundamentals, software, hardware, and the increasing use of the Internet. Positions will require an increased knowledge of sophisticated documentation techniques, as well as a technical knowledge of hardware, applications, and programming languages. Breakthroughs in superconductor technology, advance materials (engineering plastics and ceramics), nanotechnology, and biotechnology will increase the need for more Technical Writers.

There were approximately 2,875 Technical Writers employed in Michigan . Technical Writers are employed by manufacturers of ordnance (military weapons), machinery, equipment, and automobiles. Some also work for businesses, colleges and universities, nonprofit foundations, public utilities, and government. Others are employed by publishers of scientific, technical, and trade literature. Some have their own agencies or consulting firms or work on a free-lance basis. They work on a contract basis for business and organizations which are too small to employ their own writers or for those that are understaffed and have to meet contract or publication deadlines.

Employment of Technical Writers in Michigan   is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. An average of 120 openings per year is expected, with 30 due to growth and 90 to replace those who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Employment opportunities will be affected by the need for scientific and technical information. Research results need to be communicated to the scientific community as effectively as possible.

Scientific and technical information needs to be put into language that corporate managers, sales representatives, and service technicians can understand. The Technical Writer's ability to prepare written material in simpler terms should also be in greater demand as industrial and scientific equipment becomes more complex. The use of videotape presentations in the business sector should also provide some employment opportunities for Technical Scriptwriters.

Employment of Technical Writers will continue to be affected by government spending for basic research and product development. The best opportunities should be for persons with writing ability combined with scientific or technical knowledge, especially in the Internet area.  As more and more companies come to rely on their web sites or other online sources for instructions and support for their products, hard copy manuals are becoming less prominent.

MICHIGAN  EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2010

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

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