German Language Centre

It used to be that a 'tech writer' was a person with an English degree who was trained on the job. However, with more and more electronics coming onto the market, there are now technical writer training programs that are usually a requirement to get a job. They vary in length and comprehension, and are available from many sources.

Tech writers are translators. They work to explain the detailed and often complicated instructions of various electronic devices so that laypeople can understand them. Most of of them are trained as writers, but some have scientific or engineering backgrounds. Because of the writing requirement, many do still have English degrees, as well as the required additional programs.

Certificate all the way up through masters degree programs exist in the tech writing field. However, this can be deceptive, because the shortest programs (certificates) often assume that the student already has a basic grasp of good writing. Sometimes this is an eligibility requirement, other times it is not.

It is possible for people who know what they want to do to get an university degree in the subject, now. They are often housed by the English department, and the degree may be in tech writing, or in English with a concentration. This prepares students for the job market immediately out of college.

Some community colleges offer associate's degrees in the field, as well. These are generally geared towards people without previous training in the field of writing, unlike many certificate programs. However, certificate programs can be a shorter and better option for those who already know how to write competently.

Technical writer training has come about because there are so many positions for tech writers these days. People are competing for the jobs, and companies don't want to train their new employees themselves. This gap has been filled by programs at colleges across the country. Technical Writer training