10 answers
Rachel
Student
San Lorenzo, California
2
Questions
Asked
2141 views
What kind of technical writing careers could I expect?
Hi all! I'm currently an English major with an emphasis in Professional and Technical Writing at my college, but I've considered taking up a minor to compliment my skills and help launch me into the workplace after graduation. I'm considering minors like graphic design, psychology, or forensic studies as they're all related to some of my interests, but I have no idea where this could land me in the future or if they'd even help at all. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)
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10 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Rachel !
Since you are interested in having a career as a Technical Writer only and want a Minor in college, I think I might be able to provide some advice for you.
Since technical writing is in a specific niche connected to certain fields of work like IT and software, engineering, healthcare, and finance, my first instinct is to suggest that you minor in Computer Science. Also see if you could switch to a Major in Computer Science and Minor in Technical Writing. Sometimes colleges have special ways to assist scheduling enough courses or practicums to help you minor in an off-shoot subject. English is great, however, for technical writing, you may see that a lot of work is in web content, so it may be worth being proficient in Computer subjects. A lot of the work is also developing documents which most likely will be expected to be done online on a computer.
A degree in Computer Science will carry more weight and employment possibilities in the future than a degree in English. You might want to read some employment notices now for technical writers to see what degree the employers are requesting from applicants. That could give you clear insight as to what to expect once you graduate. You do not necessarily need to major or minor in your interests. As a technical writer, if you have the degree and skills, you probably can obtain work in fields that interest you, but they do not have to be majors or degrees.
Think about doing your college projects for the subjects of graphic design, psychology, or forensic studies. The employer most likely will have a meeting with you after you're hired to explain exactly what the employer needs you to do.
In addition, you can take some free technical writing classes online at Alison (look for Technical Writing Essentials), Coursesity, Udemy, Coursera, and Edx.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best ! Remember that Technical Writing is the career and that you can very well obtain work at companies that you have interest in.
Since you are interested in having a career as a Technical Writer only and want a Minor in college, I think I might be able to provide some advice for you.
Since technical writing is in a specific niche connected to certain fields of work like IT and software, engineering, healthcare, and finance, my first instinct is to suggest that you minor in Computer Science. Also see if you could switch to a Major in Computer Science and Minor in Technical Writing. Sometimes colleges have special ways to assist scheduling enough courses or practicums to help you minor in an off-shoot subject. English is great, however, for technical writing, you may see that a lot of work is in web content, so it may be worth being proficient in Computer subjects. A lot of the work is also developing documents which most likely will be expected to be done online on a computer.
A degree in Computer Science will carry more weight and employment possibilities in the future than a degree in English. You might want to read some employment notices now for technical writers to see what degree the employers are requesting from applicants. That could give you clear insight as to what to expect once you graduate. You do not necessarily need to major or minor in your interests. As a technical writer, if you have the degree and skills, you probably can obtain work in fields that interest you, but they do not have to be majors or degrees.
Think about doing your college projects for the subjects of graphic design, psychology, or forensic studies. The employer most likely will have a meeting with you after you're hired to explain exactly what the employer needs you to do.
In addition, you can take some free technical writing classes online at Alison (look for Technical Writing Essentials), Coursesity, Udemy, Coursera, and Edx.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best ! Remember that Technical Writing is the career and that you can very well obtain work at companies that you have interest in.
I was just going to advise the opposite. LOL. Keep the English degree and take the CompSci minor unless you have a burning desire to spend a huge number of hours learning to code. (Most writers don't.) I was a technical writer for many years cruising off my English degree alone. The CompSci minor will give you a leg up over so many other English majors trying to make a living writing. There was this one guy here in Los Angeles (where I live) who had a CompSci degree and an English minor. He kept messing up jobs, and I TWICE got hired to clean up his messes. Fun times! I'm now a Principal Content Designer at a major health insurance company. I'd consider that path, too, in addition to tech writing. Good luck!
Maria Alexander
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Michelle M.
Robert Epstein
General Manager
118
Answers
Naples, Florida
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Rachel,
As a tech writer for many years, I’d recommend looking into attending or meeting with local chapters of:
• IEEE Professional Communication Society,
• Association for Business Communication (ABC)
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
You’ll find helpful folks to chat with there that may point you to others you can contact who actually work in your personal fields of interest.
Best of luck. Tech writing is fascinating and expanding field.
As a tech writer for many years, I’d recommend looking into attending or meeting with local chapters of:
• IEEE Professional Communication Society,
• Association for Business Communication (ABC)
• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
You’ll find helpful folks to chat with there that may point you to others you can contact who actually work in your personal fields of interest.
Best of luck. Tech writing is fascinating and expanding field.
Jessica Smaltz
Senior Analyst
2
Answers
Mesa, Arizona
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
An English major with a focus on Professional and Technical Writing opens doors to many careers. Adding a minor can give you a special edge.
A Graphic Design minor is a fantastic match, as writing often needs visual elements. This can lead to jobs like UX/UI Writer or Content Designer, where you handle both text and visuals.
A Psychology minor is a clever choice, helping you understand how people think. This is vital for writing that connects with your audience, leading to roles in Content Strategy or UX Research.
A Forensic Studies minor offers a unique path. It prepares you for writing in technical fields like law enforcement, where detail and accuracy are key.
Each option is excellent. Choose based on what excites you most and where you see your career heading.
A Graphic Design minor is a fantastic match, as writing often needs visual elements. This can lead to jobs like UX/UI Writer or Content Designer, where you handle both text and visuals.
A Psychology minor is a clever choice, helping you understand how people think. This is vital for writing that connects with your audience, leading to roles in Content Strategy or UX Research.
A Forensic Studies minor offers a unique path. It prepares you for writing in technical fields like law enforcement, where detail and accuracy are key.
Each option is excellent. Choose based on what excites you most and where you see your career heading.
Emily Matlock
Business Analyst
7
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Management Consulting companies will hire people to write Proposals and Statements of Work. These documents help the consulting firm 'win' work, meaning they get hired to do projects for other companies. Software/technology companies also have a faction of the business dedicated to Governance. This is a great department to work in if you enjoy documentation and writing. You'd work with technologists to document how a new tool or project works and document any changes. You'd also have opportunities to present your work as well. This is a crucial role for these companies as you are creating proprietary documents for them.
Timothy Chang
Technical Writer
3
Answers
Round Rock, Texas
Updated
Timothy’s Answer
I've worked in a bunch of different industries in my career as a tech writer, including consumer tech, gaming, and food & drinks. I'm currently in fintech.
If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would suggest the following:
- Learn how to document for different audiences. Developer docs are in demand.
- Learn a scripting language, like Python. Automating stuff makes my job a lot easier, and learning to read code can be useful in this line of work.
- Get familiar with analytics. Learn how to query and interpret the data for your docs, so you know what's working and what isn't. Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Power BI, SQL.
- Consider other disciplines. UX writing and content design, for instance, is still in demand and could be a good avenue to explore. Content strategy is another field you can look into.
In my experience:
- My major was in Information Technology, and that helped me land my first job.
- I had some graphic design experience, but I hardly used it as I was mainly making screenshots. At most I'd produce the occasional video.
If I could go back in time and give myself advice, I would suggest the following:
- Learn how to document for different audiences. Developer docs are in demand.
- Learn a scripting language, like Python. Automating stuff makes my job a lot easier, and learning to read code can be useful in this line of work.
- Get familiar with analytics. Learn how to query and interpret the data for your docs, so you know what's working and what isn't. Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Power BI, SQL.
- Consider other disciplines. UX writing and content design, for instance, is still in demand and could be a good avenue to explore. Content strategy is another field you can look into.
In my experience:
- My major was in Information Technology, and that helped me land my first job.
- I had some graphic design experience, but I hardly used it as I was mainly making screenshots. At most I'd produce the occasional video.
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
103
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Rachel,
It is great to hear that you are considering what kind of career you will be able to get after you graduate. Know that there are many possibilities and anything can happen. It is best to follow your passion and to focus on what makes you happiest. There is a chance that you might start as an editor at first and progress as you go. You will find you specific interest along the way. When it comes to graphic design, this can help within branding processes. Most clients who are looking to rebrand will need a layout of everything they stand for in many different forms. This goes from logo, to advertising, social media, and just about everything on their website. All the writing you see can have an editor play a part. There is a chance that psychology and forensics might be more straight forward perhaps, where as within graphic design, there might be opportunity for creative processes.
Since it seems like you have a few ideas on what you are interested in, feel free to try to start to intern, shadow, or apprentice at an editing or design firm. Start looking at companies that are out there to find ones that peak your interest. Reach out to them via email, phone, and maybe eventually in person. If you show you are eager to learn, there is a chance they might have an opportunity for you to see what they do.
Best of luck on your journey!
It is great to hear that you are considering what kind of career you will be able to get after you graduate. Know that there are many possibilities and anything can happen. It is best to follow your passion and to focus on what makes you happiest. There is a chance that you might start as an editor at first and progress as you go. You will find you specific interest along the way. When it comes to graphic design, this can help within branding processes. Most clients who are looking to rebrand will need a layout of everything they stand for in many different forms. This goes from logo, to advertising, social media, and just about everything on their website. All the writing you see can have an editor play a part. There is a chance that psychology and forensics might be more straight forward perhaps, where as within graphic design, there might be opportunity for creative processes.
Since it seems like you have a few ideas on what you are interested in, feel free to try to start to intern, shadow, or apprentice at an editing or design firm. Start looking at companies that are out there to find ones that peak your interest. Reach out to them via email, phone, and maybe eventually in person. If you show you are eager to learn, there is a chance they might have an opportunity for you to see what they do.
Best of luck on your journey!
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Rachel!
The sort of information that they do not teach enough of in school. For instance, life skills! When people lack these life management skills, they experience problems! Several examples are dealing with the law and financial management and planning. Another is nutritional medicine. People can wind up on the wrong side of the law, broke, or sick.
I have done computer software graphic design projects in Microsoft Visual Studio 2022
ONE OF THE BEST FORMS OF TECHNICAL WRITING IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER CODE - SOFTWARE CODE AND EVEN BETTER WITH THE CODING IS USED FOR IN DELIVERING SOFTWARE WITH HEALTH MESSAGES THAT CAN CHANGE BEHAVIOUR AT A VERY YOUNG AGE BRACKET BECAUSE THEN THE PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS LAST LONGER DURING THE CHILD'S LIFE!
DEFINITELY USE HIGH NUTRITION TO ACHIEVE A GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF NEAR 5 THAT WAY YOU CAN GET ADMITTED TO A HIGH-LEVEL IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITY LIKE HARVARD AND DO A DOCTORATE AND POSSIBLY EARN USD 500,000 PER ANNUM.
You can get involved with writing technical information about products like computers or servers. Customers shall want to know about high-end systems and whether these meet their commercial requirements. Others may want to know if a motor bike will do 300 kilometers an hour. Photographers may want 1,000 mm telephoto lenses. Doctors may want to know the clinical or chemical characteristics of a new pharmaceutical.
The sort of information that they do not teach enough of in school. For instance, life skills! When people lack these life management skills, they experience problems! Several examples are dealing with the law and financial management and planning. Another is nutritional medicine. People can wind up on the wrong side of the law, broke, or sick.
I have done computer software graphic design projects in Microsoft Visual Studio 2022
ONE OF THE BEST FORMS OF TECHNICAL WRITING IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPUTER CODE - SOFTWARE CODE AND EVEN BETTER WITH THE CODING IS USED FOR IN DELIVERING SOFTWARE WITH HEALTH MESSAGES THAT CAN CHANGE BEHAVIOUR AT A VERY YOUNG AGE BRACKET BECAUSE THEN THE PUBLIC HEALTH BENEFITS LAST LONGER DURING THE CHILD'S LIFE!
DEFINITELY USE HIGH NUTRITION TO ACHIEVE A GRADE POINT AVERAGE OF NEAR 5 THAT WAY YOU CAN GET ADMITTED TO A HIGH-LEVEL IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITY LIKE HARVARD AND DO A DOCTORATE AND POSSIBLY EARN USD 500,000 PER ANNUM.
You can get involved with writing technical information about products like computers or servers. Customers shall want to know about high-end systems and whether these meet their commercial requirements. Others may want to know if a motor bike will do 300 kilometers an hour. Photographers may want 1,000 mm telephoto lenses. Doctors may want to know the clinical or chemical characteristics of a new pharmaceutical.
Amy M.
Technical Editor
1
Answer
Houston, Texas
Updated
Amy’s Answer
Hi there! Have you considered becoming a technical editor? Well, first, have you tried editing (e.g., copyediting) in general? If so, do you enjoy it? Your emphasis in technical writing made me think of your capability for technical editing, and your English degree should definitely help you with editing in general. FWIW, I'm a technical editor in the IT industry, and I love it. Tech editing also happens to pay the best out of all the different types of editing, and editing in general tends to pay better than writing does. Plus, it's less competitive than writing is. Just a thought.
For a minor, if you're at all interested in it, that is, I'd suggest something like computer science. That would help you better understand the types of docs you'll eventually edit if you end up in IT (which is likely if you pursue tech editing). To pursue tech editing, you would likely need to start out as some kind of general editor, like a copyeditor somewhere. Many companies, such as legal firms, hire them, so you could start out there for a year or two to get your feet wet. Then, once you have the experience that's most likely required by the company you want to work for, you can apply for a tech-editing position. Tech editing is not too different from copyediting, honestly. I've worked in the oilfield and now in IT as a tech editor, and I don't have a background in either. It's a little weird editing docs that I don't fully grasp the content of, but I still know when a sentence is incomprehensible on a grammatical level or has run-of-the-mill punctuation errors, you know? So, the content may be dry and boring, but if you don't mind that, then the job is still fun!
I hope this gives you a different perspective. Best of luck!
For a minor, if you're at all interested in it, that is, I'd suggest something like computer science. That would help you better understand the types of docs you'll eventually edit if you end up in IT (which is likely if you pursue tech editing). To pursue tech editing, you would likely need to start out as some kind of general editor, like a copyeditor somewhere. Many companies, such as legal firms, hire them, so you could start out there for a year or two to get your feet wet. Then, once you have the experience that's most likely required by the company you want to work for, you can apply for a tech-editing position. Tech editing is not too different from copyediting, honestly. I've worked in the oilfield and now in IT as a tech editor, and I don't have a background in either. It's a little weird editing docs that I don't fully grasp the content of, but I still know when a sentence is incomprehensible on a grammatical level or has run-of-the-mill punctuation errors, you know? So, the content may be dry and boring, but if you don't mind that, then the job is still fun!
I hope this gives you a different perspective. Best of luck!
Dave Jordan
Technical Writer
5
Answers
Columbia
Updated
Dave’s Answer
Hello Rachel,
You are asking good questions and are getting some great perspectives in the responses. Rather than tell you what I think you "should" do, I'll tell you how I got into technical writing to see if my route appeals to you. I went through college in the Electrical Engineering program taking only one Technical Writing course as an elective. While I enjoyed the course and did well in it, I was focused on my E.E. career likely as a digital designer. As I progressed through school, my interests evolved into more of a systems engineering slant rather than sitting at a workstation all day designing circuits and/or coding. I'm more of a "people" person and would much rather work on the different aspects of a project and the different teams involved. Before I completed college, I took jobs at Westinghouse and Ford Aerospace as an engineering technician getting great exposure to the corporate worlds. Not long after that, my boss at Ford came to me and asked me if I had any interest in working with a large program by helping out with their technical writing group. He told me that this program had several technical writers, but that they needed someone that was "technical" enough to understand the technical aspects of the program. Of course, I agreed and found myself playing an important role because of my technical background. Pretty quickly, I began to see that being a Technical Writer with a technical education was giving me that "systems" role that I enjoyed by working with various teams, getting to operate the equipment, attending design meetings and getting to know almost everyone on the project. Since then and having worked on MANY fascinating and very important projects, and am now a consulting "Systems Engineer that specializes in Technical Documentation," also known as an Engineering Technical Writer. I can tell you that I never thought during college that my career would take this trajectory, but getting my technical education opened doors for me that may not be available to everyone. I can't believe that I'm looking back on 35 years in this field as it has flown by. I do think it's important to be observant with any job you take to see what the needed skills are within your chosen field. Your prospective or current employers will tell you what skill sets they need, and if you have those needed skills then you will become their GO-TO person for those skills. It's an exciting career with new technologies and tools coming to light that will make it even more exciting, so get acquainted with them now so you can be a "fast learner" once you're on the job. Best of luck and always have fun with every job you take on.
You are asking good questions and are getting some great perspectives in the responses. Rather than tell you what I think you "should" do, I'll tell you how I got into technical writing to see if my route appeals to you. I went through college in the Electrical Engineering program taking only one Technical Writing course as an elective. While I enjoyed the course and did well in it, I was focused on my E.E. career likely as a digital designer. As I progressed through school, my interests evolved into more of a systems engineering slant rather than sitting at a workstation all day designing circuits and/or coding. I'm more of a "people" person and would much rather work on the different aspects of a project and the different teams involved. Before I completed college, I took jobs at Westinghouse and Ford Aerospace as an engineering technician getting great exposure to the corporate worlds. Not long after that, my boss at Ford came to me and asked me if I had any interest in working with a large program by helping out with their technical writing group. He told me that this program had several technical writers, but that they needed someone that was "technical" enough to understand the technical aspects of the program. Of course, I agreed and found myself playing an important role because of my technical background. Pretty quickly, I began to see that being a Technical Writer with a technical education was giving me that "systems" role that I enjoyed by working with various teams, getting to operate the equipment, attending design meetings and getting to know almost everyone on the project. Since then and having worked on MANY fascinating and very important projects, and am now a consulting "Systems Engineer that specializes in Technical Documentation," also known as an Engineering Technical Writer. I can tell you that I never thought during college that my career would take this trajectory, but getting my technical education opened doors for me that may not be available to everyone. I can't believe that I'm looking back on 35 years in this field as it has flown by. I do think it's important to be observant with any job you take to see what the needed skills are within your chosen field. Your prospective or current employers will tell you what skill sets they need, and if you have those needed skills then you will become their GO-TO person for those skills. It's an exciting career with new technologies and tools coming to light that will make it even more exciting, so get acquainted with them now so you can be a "fast learner" once you're on the job. Best of luck and always have fun with every job you take on.
Wyatt .
Retired Corporate Executive
54
Answers
United States
Updated
Wyatt’s Answer
Hello Rachel,
You’re already on a promising path in my opinion. Since you are majoring in english with a strong emphasis in professional / technical writing, this skill set is in demand across nearly every industry. The company I worked for constantly leveraged technical writers and are needed wherever complex information needs to be translated into clear, usable content for end users (The company I was with operated as a high-end consulting firm, supporting a client base of over 4,000 mid-market and enterprise companies.), whether that’s in software, healthcare, engineering, education, or law. With your foundation in writing, you can explore careers such as software documentation, user guides, help center articles, medical or scientific writing, policy and compliance reporting, or even UX and content strategy. The beauty of technical writing is that it’s a versatile field, you’re not locked into one industry, and your ability to communicate clearly can take you into roles that are both creative and analytical, depending on your interests and any complementary skills you develop along the way.
When it comes to choosing a minor, each of the ones you’re considering can uniquely enhance your career prospects. A graphic design minor is a strong choice if you’re visually inclined or interested in digital publishing, UX writing, or content strategy. It gives you the ability to not only write clearly but also present information in visually compelling ways, which is a huge advantage in today’s multimedia work environments. On the other hand, a psychology minor could give you an edge in areas like instructional design, user research, or healthcare communication. Understanding how people think, learn, and behave makes your writing more user-focused and effective, especially if you work in education, mental health, or digital content design. A forensic studies minor is more niche but can be incredibly useful if you see yourself working in government, legal, or criminal justice fields. Think technical documentation in law enforcement, evidence reporting, or compliance (one of my specialties) writing these are specialized areas where your writing skills would really shine.
Ultimately, your choice of minor should align with what excites you and what kind of content or industry you’d enjoy working in. You don’t need to have it all figured out at this stage, but your interests already point toward meaningful directions. If you’re curious about how to get started, try taking a course or two in each area and pay attention to what sparks your creativity or curiosity. The field of technical communication is evolving quickly, especially with the integration of AI and user centered design, so writers who also bring visual literacy, behavioral insight, or domain specific knowledge to the table will be especially competitive. You’re building a flexible foundation, and with a targeted minor, you’ll have the tools to carve out a unique and fulfilling career path after graduation.
Best wishes to you on your exciting journey!
Wyatt
You’re already on a promising path in my opinion. Since you are majoring in english with a strong emphasis in professional / technical writing, this skill set is in demand across nearly every industry. The company I worked for constantly leveraged technical writers and are needed wherever complex information needs to be translated into clear, usable content for end users (The company I was with operated as a high-end consulting firm, supporting a client base of over 4,000 mid-market and enterprise companies.), whether that’s in software, healthcare, engineering, education, or law. With your foundation in writing, you can explore careers such as software documentation, user guides, help center articles, medical or scientific writing, policy and compliance reporting, or even UX and content strategy. The beauty of technical writing is that it’s a versatile field, you’re not locked into one industry, and your ability to communicate clearly can take you into roles that are both creative and analytical, depending on your interests and any complementary skills you develop along the way.
When it comes to choosing a minor, each of the ones you’re considering can uniquely enhance your career prospects. A graphic design minor is a strong choice if you’re visually inclined or interested in digital publishing, UX writing, or content strategy. It gives you the ability to not only write clearly but also present information in visually compelling ways, which is a huge advantage in today’s multimedia work environments. On the other hand, a psychology minor could give you an edge in areas like instructional design, user research, or healthcare communication. Understanding how people think, learn, and behave makes your writing more user-focused and effective, especially if you work in education, mental health, or digital content design. A forensic studies minor is more niche but can be incredibly useful if you see yourself working in government, legal, or criminal justice fields. Think technical documentation in law enforcement, evidence reporting, or compliance (one of my specialties) writing these are specialized areas where your writing skills would really shine.
Ultimately, your choice of minor should align with what excites you and what kind of content or industry you’d enjoy working in. You don’t need to have it all figured out at this stage, but your interests already point toward meaningful directions. If you’re curious about how to get started, try taking a course or two in each area and pay attention to what sparks your creativity or curiosity. The field of technical communication is evolving quickly, especially with the integration of AI and user centered design, so writers who also bring visual literacy, behavioral insight, or domain specific knowledge to the table will be especially competitive. You’re building a flexible foundation, and with a targeted minor, you’ll have the tools to carve out a unique and fulfilling career path after graduation.
Best wishes to you on your exciting journey!
Wyatt