• Technical writers also called technical communicators, put technical information into easily understandable language.
• They work primarily in information-technology-related industries, coordinating the development and dissemination of technical content for a variety of users; however, a growing number of technical communicators are using technical content to resolve business communications problems in a diversifying number of industries.
• Included in their products are operating instructions, how-to manuals, assembly instructions, and other documentation needed for online help and by technical support staff, consumers, and other users within the company or industry.
• Technical writers also develop documentation for computer programs and set up communications systems with consumers to assess customer satisfaction and quality control matters.
• In addition, they commonly work in engineering, scientific, healthcare, and other areas in which highly specialized material needs to be explained to a diverse audience, often of laypersons.
• Technical writers often work with engineers, scientists, computer specialists, and software developers to manage the flow of information among project workgroups during development and testing.
• They also may work with product liability specialists and customer service or call centre managers to improve the quality of product support and end-user assistance.
• Technical writers also oversee the preparation of illustrations, photographs, diagrams, and charts.
• Technical writers increasingly are using a variety of multimedia formats to convey information in such a way that complex concepts can be understood easily by users of the information.
• Applying their knowledge of the user of the product, technical writers may serve as part of a team conducting usability studies to help improve the design of a product that is in the prototype stage.
• Technical writers may conduct research on their topics through personal observation, library and Internet research, and discussions with technical specialists.
• They also are expected to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter and establish their credibility with their colleagues.
• Technical writers use computers and other electronic communications equipment extensively in performing their work.
• They also work regularly with desktop and other electronic publishing software and prepare material directly for the Internet.
• Technical writers may work with graphic design, page layout, and multimedia software; increasingly, they are preparing documents by using the interactive technologies of the Web to blend text, graphics, multidimensional images, and sound.
• Some technical writers work on a freelance or contract basis. They either are self-employed or work for a technical consulting firm and may be hired to complete specific short-term or recurring assignments, such as writing about a new product or coordinating the work and communications of different units to keep a project on track.
• Whether a project is to be coordinated among an organization's departments or among autonomous companies, technical writers ensure that the different entities share information and mediate differences in favour of the end user in order to bring a product to market sooner.

• Demand over this decade is expected to increase because of the continuing expansion of scientific and technical information and the growing presence of customer service and Web-based product support networks.
• Legal, scientific, and technological developments and discoveries will generate demand for people who can interpret technical information for a general audience.
• Rapid growth and change in the high-technology and electronics industries will result in a greater need for people who can write users' guides, instruction manuals, and training materials in a variety of formats and communicate information clearly to others.
• This occupation requires workers who are both skilled writers and effective communicators and familiar with a specialized subject area.
• Increasing acceptance of interactive media to provide nearly real-time information will create employment opportunities for technical writers because of the need to revise online information.
• Businesses and organizations are making more material available online often in formats that permit greater scrutiny and comparison of detailed information.
• The growing amount and complexity of information available on the Web will spur demand for technical writers.
• Professional, scientific, and technical services firms will continue to grow and should be a good source of new jobs even as the occupation finds acceptance in a broader range of industries, including data processing, hosting, and related services and educational services.
• Job prospects, especially for applicants with solid communication and technical skills, are expected to be good.
• The growing reliance on technologically sophisticated products in the home and the workplace and the increasing complexity of medical or scientific information needed for daily living will create many new job opportunities for technical writers.
• However, competition will exist for technical writing positions with more desirable companies and for workers who are new to the occupation.

Technical writers communicate ideas and information. Other occupations requiring good communications skills include Announcers; Authors, writers, and editors; Interpreters and translators; Public relations specialists.

• BA in Communication, Journalism or English