Do you love technical, highly complex information and working with computers? Becoming a technical writer may be right for you. Technical writers work in a variety of fields, but are particularly needed in the field of medicine.
As a technical writer in the medical field, you will consult with medical technology experts to collect raw technical data by doing research. Once the information is collected, it must be arranged in a logical pattern and simplified into language that can be understood by an average reader. You may also need to determine whether or not to include charts, graphs, or diagrams.
To be successful in this field, you need to have outstanding written and verbal communication skills and be detail oriented as well as a good problem solver. You need to be comfortable working with complex technological equipment such as computers. You will have to have a strong understanding of medical technology as well if you decide to work in the field of medicine.
Salary:
The median salary for technical writers in the U.S. is approximately $61,620 annually. Most will earn somewhere between $47,000 and $79,000 per year. When you are new to the field of technical writing, you can expect a salary of around $36,500 depending on what part of the country you reside. If you proceed with your education and training and gain the necessary experience, you may earn as much as $98,000 or more. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates technical writing jobs to grow faster than average between 2008 and 2018, at a rate of 18 percent.
Education:
A minimum of an associate’s degree is required to earn a certificate in technical writing. Certificate programs can usually be earned in a year. You will typically need to take six to eight courses, which would include:
- Business writing
- HTML
- Internet writing
- Publishing
- Software writing
- Technical editing
Job prospects can be much better, however, if you pursue your bachelor’s degree, particularly if you pair it with a minor in medical technology or another technical field of your choice.
Associations:
Groups and associations that exist for technical writers include:
- Association for Business Communication
- IEEE Professional Communications Society
- National Association of Science Writers
- Society for Technical Communication
Tue, Mar 23, 2010
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