Technical
Writer
What I do
I write technical content for hardware or software programs (and sometimes both!) to help users get the most out of their Dell products. This means I work closely with subject matter experts to understand how something works from top to bottom, then create user guides, online help, installation instructions, release notes, and other technical documentation that’s organized and easy to understand.Skills needed
- Critical thinking
- Simplifying complex ideas
- Research
- Persistence
- Diplomacy
- Flexibility
- Collaboration
- Logical reasoning
- Self-motivation
- Customer empathy
- Understanding style guides
Courses to study
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Modern Languages
- Applied Linguistics
- Information Architecture
- Technical Communications
TecKno related courses
What are the best parts of my job?
I love getting to know our products inside and out, instead of being stuck to one small area or component. And as a natural organizer, I enjoy putting order and logic to large amounts of content. It’s satisfying to put together a series of topics and present them in a way that a user can get to what they need as quickly and easily as possible.How does my job make an impact?
Technical documentation is an essential part of any product launch and has a direct impact on our customers’ experience. The documents I create help them interact with our products and make their lives a little easier—especially when they run into problems. Making sure we keep things consistent and accessible is key to helping our users accomplish their goals, and I’m glad to be a part of that.How to learn more
A quick Google search on “technical writing” will help you find a ton of free, online resources to get started. Other places to look for more in-depth guidance:- Munster Technical University: Technical Writing using XML
- University of Limerick: Technical Writing - Graduate Certificate
- Center for Information-Development Management (CIDM): Upcoming Webinars