Catching up on political & social policy news. Researching potential donors & formulating strategies for engaging them to support the charity's cause. Database analysis, analysing the value of applications submitted, applications rejected, donations received, forecasting prospect values over the next month, three months, and six months. Unpicking the components of projects being delivered on the ground, writing proposals, letters & applications. Drinking coffee. Eating cake. Studying economics.
CAREER
Technical Writers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$74,650
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
+7.4% (as fast as the average)
Most Common Level of Education
Bachelor's degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Technical Writers Do
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Other Job Titles Technical Writers May Have
Documentation Designer, Documentation Specialist, Engineering Writer, Information Developer, Medical Writer, Narrative Writer, Requirements Analyst, Technical Communicator, Technical Writer
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I work in a fast-paced 'agile' environment on a team of software engineers, database analysts, linguists, government and military business owners. I enjoy the diversity and international flavor of my work environment. I also enjoy the challenge of having to rise to aggressive deadlines, collaborating as a team and of course the writing, organizing, editing and translating of complex technical information into comprehensible formats.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
- Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
- Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
- Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
- Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Technical Writers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (46%)
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Civil Engineering, General
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Computer Science
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
QWERTY keyboard training is very valuable in the real world - even in 2013 - It's astonishing how few people can type with ten fingers (outside the US anyway) considering how long the keyboard's been around. Non-English languages are very useful too. Any language(s) depending on where your interests lie.
Military service.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
Look for internships and volunteering opportunities to figure out what types of nonprofit organizations you want to work for. Are you interested in education, medicine, nature/wildlife, social services, etc. This will also give you a better idea of what you like and dislike in a job which can take you a long way.
Get a job. Doesn’t have to be your dream job, but it should be one that will help you get there. If it’s not, rather than hate what you’re doing, figure how to utilize your role to help you get to that next place. Pursue a side hustle that is absolutely related to what you love. Don’t forget to make time to relax and have fun.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
