Career Hotline : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

Career Hotline

Q. I have done BSc electronics. Although I enjoy reading about science, I’m not interested in pursuing an MSc or any other academic qualification in this line. Instead, I have good communication skills and enjoy writing. Would technical writing be a good field for me?

Career Hotline


Pervin Malhotra

Scope in technical writing

Q. I have done BSc electronics. Although I enjoy reading about science, I’m not interested in pursuing an MSc or any other academic qualification in this line. Instead, I have good communication skills and enjoy writing. Would technical writing be a good field for me? — Zara Quereshi

A. Certainly, and let me explain why. Just about every product we buy — computer software and hardware, cars, electronic stuff etc come with instructions. This could be in the form of a user manual, a maintenance manual, catalogue or assembly instructions etc.

This information not only allows consumers to use and maintain products easily and safely, but also protects manufacturers from being sued if it is ambiguous or fails to explain the correct usage.

It’s the Technical writer who organises and presents this information in a simple, logical and user-friendly manner that can be understood even by a layman.

This basically involves simplifying the product information and breaking down complex procedures and unfamiliar technical jargon into easily understandable steps--so that there are no gaps in communication between those who develop the product and those who use it.

Technical writers, also referred to as Technical Communicators because the job involves much more than writing i.e. creating electronic documents, layouts, diagrams, charts and design for web-based communication. The most essential requirement for an aspiring Technical Writer is excellent writing skills. You should be able to communicate clearly and concisely. Greater the product’s complexity, greater is the need for clarity and simplification.

Equally essential is some technical knowledge of the product you’re writing about. For instance, if you’re targeting the IT segment, a working knowledge of DTP tools (e.g. PageMaker), development tools (RoboHelp), and web tools (HTML and XML coding) are a definite advantage for those working in an online environment. If you are curious about developments in science and possess a basic understanding of computer hardware, operating systems, software applications and programming languages, this may be the field for you.

The need for good technical writing has steadily caught on in India. The cutthroat competition between companies and entry of MNCs has boosted the demand further. The proliferation of MNCs has also brought to the forefront issues of globalization, localization and translation. Since technical writing has also jumped onto the BPO bandwagon you need to be conversant with differences between American and British English. Most high-end software firms like Microsoft, Oracle, Adobe, Quark have in-house technical writers on their rolls.

Technical Communication is a rewarding career and if you’re at the high-end of the ladder (an engineer or engineer-like acumen, working in a hi-tech software company with a few years of experience), you could gross over a lakh p.m.

Starting out a Trainee, you can become a full-fledged Technical Writer, Team Leader, Project Leader, Programme Manager, Documentation Or Publication Manager, and later, Director.

To conclude, regardless of how savvy companies have become, one critical component remains constant: the need to communicate clearly and effectively. This is where writing skills come in. Some even go so far as to say that a company is only as good as its communication.

Thousands of technical writers are presently working in every industry from software to retail to engineering to health care.

Email your queries to [email protected] 

Top News

Chief Judicial Magistrate's court in UP's Banda orders judicial inquiry into death of gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari

UP court orders judicial probe into Mukhtar Ansari’s death

The CJM has sought the probe report within a month

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

‘Heart attack or poisoning’: The life and times of Mukhtar Ansari—crime and politics

People loyal to gangster-turned-politician vouched for his '...

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai, widow BJP MLA killed by Mukhtar Ansari, says 'justice has been served', visits Ram Mandir

Alka Rai is the wife of MLA Krishanand Rai, who was shot dea...

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh IT notice of Rs 1,700 crore, say party insiders

Cash-strapped Congress gets fresh I-T notice of Rs 1,800 crore

Ajay Maken addresses a press conference

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

Special court convicts 7 people in BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case

The proceedings against Atiq Ahmad, his brother and prime ac...


Cities

View All