For this week’s assignment, we had to look up the qualifications of entry-level jobs we wanted to have after graduation. Out of the three I posted, I chose to do my research about a technical writer career. In order to do so, I went on Indeed and Monster, two job searching websites and simply searched up technical writer, with no specific place in mind. Both websites showed me hundreds of results with jobs that spanned across the nation, with places in Florida, Maryland, and even Canada.
With every listing I checked, I saw that the qualifications and responsibilities were mostly similar, except for some companies that were working as government agencies. For starters, majority of companies ask for a Bachelors degree, with some foregoing it and simply needing a high school diploma or something equivalent of value i.e., a GED. And with the bachelors degree, it was preferred to be English, Communications, Journalism or writing. Many companies for some reason required one year of relevant labeling experience in a cGMP regulated environment. Further research shows that a cGMP is a Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA, which I would say seems unfair for a entry level position.
The responsibilities for an entry level technical writer are mostly similar throughout the multiple descriptions I looked through. Responsibilities include being able to work alone and work in groups, editing and reviewing technical documents, being able to produce technical documents, record keeping, and performing administrative duties as assigned to them. Breaking them down, simply this job required communication skills, editing skills, independence, research, teamwork, etc.
The software needed for this job was honestly universal. All jobs wanted an applicant who knew how to work Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. But there were other software expectations needed as well such as Viso, AutoCAD, Crystal Reports, and Adobe Acrobat. And from some research, I learned Viso was a “no-coding” coding platform used to operate computer applications, hosting several AI models to help build apps. AutoCAD is an application used to create detailed 2D and 3D drawings, plans, and models in a variety of industries, such as architecture, and construction, allowing designers to create precise and accurate drawings using a range of tools and features. CAD was another design software used to created 2D or 3D designs in to visualize construction, and enables the optimization of the design process. Crystal Reports is Windows-based report writer solution that allows a developer to create reports and dashboards from a variety of data sources with a minimum of code to write.
Specific abilities needed for technical writing differ from different companies. But what the majority of what companies want are familiarity with government contracting, proposal writing, strong research and analytical skills, content writing, detail oriented, customer service, etc. The companies hiring for this position were Automated Motion Incorporated (AMI), Rehabmart.com, TDI Technologies, Inc, Therapy Source, Soos, Sentara Technical Writer Business Systems, Enclaro, and Bowhead / UIC Technical Services.
The documents I’ll need when I graduate to be considered for a technical writing position is a bachelors degree, a certificate in Microsoft word programs, i.e. Excel, Professional technical writing certification, Business writing certification, Engineering technical writing certification, etc. Just a lot of different certification is needed depending on what type of technical writing you’ll go down, i.e. medical, engineering technical writing.
From the research I learned that this job is not a walk in a park. This isn’t a job you just wake up and become, you need numerous certification and knowledge of different computer programs so you must be able to learn and be able to be taught. I knew it had to do with designing pamphlets, textbooks and so on, but there is so much work to go into it, that if you don’t enjoy it, it’ll be a pain to do. This alone makes me want to research all my career options to make sure I don’t go into a career I despise.
