Technical writers who help companies manage the information overload are vital resources

Technical writers who help companies manage the information overload are vital resources. They understand that their readers must be able to skim or skip
text and find important information quickly. As a professional in great demand,
the technical writer faces a challenging, exciting, and rewarding future.
Different careers generate different kinds of reports: Nurses chart a patient’s
medical condition so that the next shift’s nurses can continue patient care.
Police accident reports record facts for later use in court. Chemists and
engineers document procedures to comply with government regulations.
Accountants prepare annual client reports. Sales representatives write
sales proposals. Professors write grant proposals. Park rangers write safety
precautions. Insurance claims adjusters write incident reports. Travel agents
design brochures. Public relations officers write news releases, letters, and
speeches.
When you write, you demonstrate your ability to analyze, solve problems,
and understand technical processes. For example, Matheus Cardoso,
personnel director for Osgood Textile Industries, impresses his supervisor
and earns his colleagues’ respect when his proposal for tax-deferred
retirement plans is approved. On the other hand, the drafting crew at
Stillman Manufacturing is frustrated with Jeff Danelli’s instructions for
installing wireless computing at the industrial site. The crew must redraft
plans because Jeff’s instructions are vague and incomplete. When writing
is not clear, the thinking behind the writing may not be clear either.
All careers rely on technical communication to get the job done. Technical
writing is the great connector—the written link—connecting technology to
user, professional to client, colleague to colleague, supervisor to employee,
and individual to community. No matter what career you choose, you can
expect to read and compose e-mail, send accompanying attachments, give
and receive phone messages, and explain procedures.