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For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Ed Manley complains that the reason technical writers are paid such a
low rate is that they are largely composed of failures from other
computer areas (customer service, analysts) with no special skill or
desire to being a technical writer.
(1) Just because someone used to work in customer service or as a
programmer/analyst doesn't mean that they didn't choose to work as a
technical writer. I always wanted to be a writer, but when in university
I decided it would be more lucrative to work with computers, I never
realized there was a technical writing field. I've worked as both a
programmer/analyst and as a computer helpdesk rep, but I left those
fields because I finally found out about the career that I really wanted.
(2) Most positions for technical writers don't just accept people with
any background... they require people with experience as a technical
writers and/or with training in technical writing, computer science, or
English. If it were an entry-level position, you might be able to shift
your career from another related career, but for intermediate and senior
positions you are expected to have years of experience as a technical
writer. This list is often has posts from recent grads from technical
writing programs complaining about how all positions seem to require
experience.
(3) In my experience, I have always earned more as a technical writer
than as a customer service rep, so I don't know why anyone would claim
that it's the people who fail as customer service reps who move into
technical writing. If anything, a customer service rep might see
technical writing as a way to move up in the computer industry.
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