Technical Writers job and career information

Career:
Technical Writer

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

Is Technical Writer the right career path for you?
Take the MyMajors Quiz and find out if it fits one of your top recommended majors!

What Technical Writers do:

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.
Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding.
Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.

Assist in laying out material for publication.

Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.

Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.

Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication.

Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail.

Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.

Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.

Review manufacturer's and trade catalogs, drawings and other data relative to operation, maintenance, and service of equipment.

Draw sketches to illustrate specified materials or assembly sequence.

Share:

What work activities does a Technical Writer do?

Importance		Activities
		Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
		Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
		Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

		Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
		Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
		Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
		Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
		Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
		Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
		Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
		Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
		Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
		Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
		Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
		Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
		Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.