Technical Writing Courses, Career Details
Technical writing, a form of technical communication, is a style of formal writing
and is used in fields as diverse as computer hardware and software, chemistry, the
aerospace industry, robotics, finance, consumer electronics and biotechnology. Technical
writers explain complex ideas to technical and non-technical audiences. This could
mean telling a programmer how to use a software library or telling a consumer how
to operate a television remote control. Businesses use technical writing extensively
to communicate information to management, employees and other businesses.
Technical writing course includes training manuals, employee guidelines
or handbooks and other specific writing. Whether it is information on technology,
assembly instructions or owner’s manuals, technical writing aims to portray a message
that is clear, concise and most importantly, helpful to the readers that it is intended
for.
Eligibility:
The minimum eligibility criterion to pursue a course
in technical writing is 10+2 (HSC). There is no entrance exam for
technical writing training course. Computer literacy and knowledge
of software applications will help candidates in this profession. There are very
few Indian institutes that offer certificate courses in technical
writing as a mainstream course.
Career Options:
The demand for technical writers is growing due to outsourcing and global
market as well. Technical writers get good placements in various firms like advertising
agencies, software developing companies and even in newspapers and magazines. The
highest demand for technical writers is generated by the IT industry. One can also
work as a freelancer.
Technical writer’s job includes translating and making the technical language simple.
This helps customers or potential customers understand the advantages or the operation
of their new products or services.
Scope:
The demand for technical writers is high, which makes a career
in technical writing a great option for many writers and others who have
great organizational, grammar and communication skills. Technical writing provides
a good salary and is often available to freelancers as well as onsite employees.
There are many training programs available for people who wish to enter the field
of technical writing.
The technical writing is very competitive. Many companies are hiring technical writers
at a very low cost. In the current market environment, knowledge of electronic publishing,
graphics and video are increasingly in demand. Online publications, such as newspapers
and magazines require web skills to manage content, graphics, audio, video and 3-D
animation. The employment opportunities for writers are expected to increase faster
than the average for all occupations until 2010.
Remuneration:
A junior technical writer can earn between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 12,000 per month
depending on the company he works for and the nature of work. An experienced writer/editor
may get up to Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000. A freelance writer gets paid as per the
contract.
List of Institutes
for Technical Writing Course in India:
- Documentation Research and Training Center (D.R.T.C.), Bangalore
- University of Calicut, Kozhikode
- W.B. Institute of Technical Communication, Bangalore
- Write Academy, Chennai
- TechnoPoint, Banglore
- Stella Maris College, Chennai
- Four-C Content Experts, Bangalore
- Triumph India Learning Academy, Bangalore
- Xaviers Institute of Communication (X.I.C.), Mumbai
- Technowrites Academy, Pune
