The ‘write’ path
NIVEDITA GANGULY
| Technical writing offers a lucrative career
|
Writing was always boring in school, be it
homework or exams. But it had its own charm with the good writers in
the class getting the attention of everyone. But writing is more
than that. In this age of technology it offers lucrative careers.
For all those interested in technology and have flair for writing
and deciphering technical details, here is a lucrative career option
for you. Remember how you were completely baffled about the
functioning of your new cell phone or the brand new MP3 player?
What do you remember came in handy for you, when you were
frantically seeking help?
Well, isn’t it the user manual or the on-line help files? They
are all written by professionals called technical writers.
Increasing numbers
The rise in number of technology users worldwide over the last
few decades has accentuated the need for technical documentation.
“A technical writer is considered as an honest mediator between
people who create technology and who use technology,” explains
Anupama Reji, the Vizag centre in-charge of The Writers Block (TWB),
a Bangalore-based technical writing training company. The scope for
technical writers is vast.
Technical writers simplify the information, which can be used as
an intermediate, or a final component of the information
centric-technology driven environment.
Their craft involves breaking down jargons and complex
technological pieces of information into a simple set of
instructions and explanations that are accessible to users – both
within and outside the organisational structures.
They work on technical documents either for technology
intermediaries like software writers and testers, engineering and
implementation teams or users of products –both consumer and
industrial like instruction guides, maintenance manuals etc.
The sectors where this kind of documentation may be required are
diverse and range from software, pharmaceuticals, aerospace,
telecom, nanotechnology, heavy engineering and automotives.
Eligibility
The basic requirements for a career as a technical writer are a
graduate in any field with strong communication skills and a
‘hands-on’ experience with working on a computer.
Companies that provide integrated IT and BPO solutions and
services to various industries, software development firms, and the
like – all need technical writers .
They can be employed in any of the following capacities:
technical writer, multimedia content developer, web content
developer, copywriter, instructional designer, courseware developer,
instructional designer, technical editors, subject matter experts
(SMEs), knowledge managers, publication in-charge or information
managers.
According to the 2005 salary survey figures of technical
communicators by the Society of Technical Communication India, the
median salary for technical communication professionals in India is
Rs. 3.74 lakh per annum. The median salary for technical
communicators with less than two years of experience is Rs. 2.12
lakh per annum. The survey also reveals that there has been a
consistent rise in the salary structure of technical communicators
at a rate of almost 22 per cent per year in many cities.
Training
While a significant number of universities in the USA offer
various degree programmes in Technical Writing, there is a dearth of
trained professionals in this field in India. Few institutes like
The Writers Block offer certificate programmes in this area. TWB has
set up its branches in cities like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Nagpur,
Trivandrum, Ernakulam, Coimbatore and Vellore apart from its head
office in Bangalore. These centres have introduced the TWB Online
that offers formalized training to students from remote locations.
Anybody with access to computers can enrol for this course.
Placements
TWB Certification allows trainees to participate in the placement
process.
After the successful completion of the course, completed resumes
are uploaded in the TWB web portal for three months, which can be
accessed directly by the recruiters.
The recruiters fix interviews directly with trainees. More than
150 companies recruit directly from TWB including Wipro, Lucent,
Sun, SAP, HP and others.
TWB also has a tie-up with HP and SAP for internship and
placement programmes. For more details on the courses offered by
TWB, contact 9441865873.
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