MTSC Career Options
Writing for the Computer Industry
Sara creates user instructions for customer service software. Danielle designs computer based training packages for employees of a bank. Michael designs web pages for a telecommunications company. All three are technical communicators in the computer industry.
Overview of Technical Communication in the Computer Industry
Technical communication in the computer industry includes, but is not limited to, designing and delivering hardcopy and online documentation, multimedia products and computer-based tutorials (CBTs). Hardcopy and online documentation may include product descriptions, software instructions, and usability testing documentation. Designing multimedia products may require you to create performance support systems and World Wide Web pages. Designing and delivering CBTs may require you to create teleconference, videoconference and videotape instruction for computer hardware, software and services. As a technical communicator, you may also be required to develop advertising and sales literature, and educational materials about everything from personal computers and mainframes to the software they use.
A technical communicator in the computer industry may be known as an information product developer, information engineer, information analyst, technical writer or editor, graphic illustrator or, usability analyst. Most entry-level technical communicators serve as information product developers and editors. Senior technical communicators typically function as leaders on large projects, coordinating a team to which you may be contributing.
The materials you develop will be for every type of user, from computer experts to elementary school students. They can appear in many types of media from print to oral briefings to multimedia formats that integrate video, animation, text and graphic into one presentation that can run on a computer. In summary, the communications you produce as a technical communicator in the computer industry will serve users in every part of the world and in companies that create, sell, maintain, or use computer hardware and software.
Work Environment
The work environment of a technical communicator in the computer industry varies because you can fill a variety of roles and develop a variety of communications. For instance, if you work for a software company, you may create hardcopy and online documentation such as tutorials, user manuals, reference manuals and online help. You may also develop short sales support brochures and computer-based demonstrations that describe your company’s software to prospective purchasers. In addition, you may even be required to write a user’s guide, developed by a team using a standard development process.
You may work withina corporation as part of a team, including a programmer, a graphic artist, an editor and a usability expert, and other communicators, where you will use a standard development process. Or you may work for technical communication consulting firms or as contractors, or freelancers.
Qualifications and Skills
The qualifications and skills for technical communicators in the computer industry are as varied as the roles you will be required to perform.Many technical communicators have undergraduate degrees in English, Communications, Engineering and Technology. In many cases, professionals with good writing skills learn specialized knowledge related to the computer products they work on, while working on the job, and then enter the technical communications field. Others begin as research assistants, or trainees in a technical information department, where they develop technical communication skills, and then assume writing duties. You will find that many successful technical communicators in the computer industry have no formal computer programming training. Many have an understanding of Intranet applications like JavaScript and Cold Fusion, while others have an understanding of Windows applications like HTML (Hyper-text Markup Language) and C++ programming.
Technical communicators in the computer industry have commonly listed the following as necessary skills to be successful in the profession:
- The ability to display a mastery of basic writing skills
- The ability to work with people on different levels of the corporate ladder
- The ability to research and explore new topics independently.
- The ability to multitask and manage time effectively
- The ability to organize tasks in a very logical manner
Because your role as a technical communicator includes writing for a wide variety of audiences and purposes and developing many types of communication, it would help you to be up to date on the new methods of producing communications. There are many authoring tools on the market that are used to create sophisticated online and support documents. Many large corporations have in-house training departments to enable you to keep your skills up to date. However,if you choose to freelance, you may find yourself paying for the additional training. The variety of applications that you will encounter allow for a great deal of creativity in this field. It is up to you, however, to think of creative ways to use technologyto meet the needs of the users you target.
Estimated Earnings
Most entry level positions for technical communicators in the computer industry start at $30,000. The average estimated earnings range from $44,000 to $48,000, and depends significantly on the following factors:
- Education and knowledge of computer programming languages and web authoring tools
- Experience as a technical communicator
- Demand for technical communicators and the job market
- Location of the position and the cost of living at that location
In the U.S., the Silicon Valley region has reported salaries higher than the average range, and the Midwest region has reported salaries lower than the average range.
Outlook and Trends
The outlook for a technical communicator in the computer industry is promising, and the current trends point to a more diversified portfolio. Although growth in the computer industry has stabilized, the use of the Internet and the World Wide Web, along with other digital media products is increasing. This means that while the trends point to a growth in the availability of jobs for technical communicators, companies will expect technical communicators to be knowledgeable in a variety of computer languages, web authoring tools, and multimedia design techniques.
Resources
The following organizations are good resources of information on technical communicators in the computer industry:
Association of Computing Machinery
Special Interest Group for Computer Documentation (ACM/SIGDOC)
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
Society for Technical Communication (STC)
901 North Stuart Street, Suite 904
Arlington, VA 22203-1854
703-522-4114
http://www.stc.org
The STC is the largest of the professional organizations of technical
communicators. It has 141 local chapters, most of which post employment
opportunities.
Usability Professionals’ Association (UPA)
10875 Plano Road, Suite 115
Dallas, TX 75238
214-349-8841