Eligibility
As far as courses in technical writing go, the rules are lot more relaxed than other courses doing the rounds today. For example, for an engineering course or a course in medicine, a student will have to possess very specific qualifications. However, for a course in technical writing, the rules are as relaxed as they can get. To be eligible for a course in technical writing, a student may not even need to be done with formal education. All a student may really need is ‘working knowledge’ of English and maybe even a flair for writing. However, there are some institutes that may require people who enroll for their courses to be graduates with decent marks or at least be done with a 10+2 or an equivalent. Students who hail form a journalism, English literature or mass communication background by default become eligible for a course in technical writing.
Details Of The Course
A course in technical writing will train an amateur writer to become a professional technical writer. People tend to take the writing they see in manuals, catalogues, etc. for granted, but what they don’t realize is that there has been a professional behind the same. Technical writing courses stress on writing and turning an individual into a professional writer. A course in technical writer will attempt to teach an individual to write in a clear and concise manner. It will focus on editing or proof reading technical content. It will also help an individual with technical formats, techniques and whatever else is required for a technical writer to know. The course will give importance to helping an individual understand writing software tools like PageMaker, Microsoft Word, Frame Maker, etc. However, this is something that technical writers get most familiar with when on the job.
Career Prospects
Though there are no institutes that offer formal courses in technical writing, technical writing still is a great career option. The best part about technical writing is that it does not require an individual to slog for years together; instead all that is required is thorough knowledge on the skill. This thorough knowledge can be gained via a course in technical writing which ultimately improves an individual’s chances of getting hired. Today, especially in terms of India, with the increase in outsourcing and the presence of globalization and liberalization, technical writing jobs are aplenty. Software companies, advertising agencies, newspapers, websites, magazines, companies dealing with consumer electronics, etc. will be more than willing to hire the services of a technical writer. Technical writers can also work as freelance writers and enjoy the perks of the same. The remuneration a technical writer gets, when compared to most other jobs, is by no means worse. The job of a technical writer also comes with the added advantage of travelling.
