Journalists: Consider a Career as a Technical Writer

If you are a journalist in transition, I suggest you consider a career in Technical Writing.

One does not have to be highly technically savvy (like an engineer) to be a tech writer. For example, I had my start as a grunt in the industrial trades, but then got a lucky break as a document formatter for a software education company. In that company, I then became an technical editor, and later a technical writer.

The point is: If you have the flexibility to learn up on the subject for which you write, you will be able to work in any business sector. For example, I've created users guides, policy / procedure manuals, white papers, industrial reports, software manuals, financial statements, etc. I've worked in software, heavy industry, medical devices, health care, biotech, and foreign business consulting. I am recently branching off into journalism as naturally aligned corollary to technical writing.

Journalists & Tech Writers: They Both Report the Facts

Like a journalist, technical writers report facts.

So, based on the skill sets you already have as a journalist, the transition from journalism to technical writing should be a relatively easy jump. Just look at the required skill sets written into most most tech writer job descriptions on Monster or LinkedIn: "English or Journalism background preferred..."

For me tech writing been really rewarding. The work has taken me around the globe and back. I've acquired innumerable skills in the meantime. Because the work you most likely would be doing is for for-profit enterprises, most companies are budgeted to pay you a steady salary like any other contributor in the corporate team. Check out technical writing.

For More Information

For more info on getting started as a Technical Writer, see the link below.

(Note: this piece is written primarily for someone taking their first steps into the working world.)

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5654072/starting_a_career_as_a_technical_writer.html