By Danielle Porres
Secretary, Future Technical Communicators club at UCF
Hello, everyone! I know most, if not all of our blog’s readers are pursuing a career in tech comm and are looking to get themselves out there in the world of job searching. Once you begin the process, it can definitely feel as though you’re navigating through a whirlwind of emotions and activity. Sure, you’re familiar with what tech comm encompasses, but how do you figure out which industry or niche you want to get into? Knowing how versatile the field of tech comm is and the different types of opportunities out there, it can definitely feel daunting to pinpoint what you want to do with your degree.
There are a plethora of industries focused on hiring technical communicators, ranging from health care to public relations, all wanting highly-skilled individuals with a passion for writing and editing. As noted by Masters in Communications, the most notable career paths in the field are, “Technical Writer or Documentation Specialist, Medical Writer, Training Consultant, Science and Technology Journalist, and Researcher” (p.11).
Additional job titles for technical communicators (Source: stc.org):
- Technical Writers & Editors
- Indexers
- Information Architects
- Instructional Designers
- Technical Illustrators
- Globalization & Localization Specialists
- Usability & Human Factors Professionals
- Visual Designers
- Web Designers & Developers
- Teachers & Researchers of Technical Communication
- Trainers and E-Learning Developers
As you navigate through your course load, it is plausible to find a specialization or industry that you might want to get into. You might take an interest in scientific writing, multimedia production, instructional writing, and many others. If multiple interests you at once, that’s okay too! It can actually serve as an advantage since companies and industries admire versatility. By being someone who can develop and hone their skills in various tech comm areas, many more opportunities can fall at your door.
Although taking courses and obtaining your degree is essential, networking and gaining experience is what will you that extra push. Through internships and some odd jobs here and there, you will be able to further develop your writing/editing style, find your preferred niche(s), and connect with others who share common tech comm interests.
