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WHAT SALARIES CAN TECHNICAL WRITERS
EXPECT TO EARN?
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In 1970 inexperienced technical writers with a
bachelor's degree were hired in private industry at
starting annual salaries ranging from $6,000 to
$8,000; those with experience earned up to $16 ,000.
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In 1971 inexperienced technical writers in the Federal service with a bachelor's degree started at
$6,938 or $8,582, depending upon their college
records. Those with 3 years' experience started at
$12,615 or $15,040.
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Some technical writers are freelance writers.
Part-time work also is available.
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HOW CAN YOU QUALIFY AS A TECHNICAL
WRITER?
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. In high school, take as many science, math, and
English courses as you can.
• In college, major in science, mathematics, or
engineering. Include elective courses in technical writing, advanced composition, feature writing,
graphics, and printing processes .
. Or, major in technical writing, English, or
journal ism and include elective courses in science,
mathematics, and engineering .
. Get as much writing practice as possible through
extracurricular activities, such as your school
newspaper or magazine.
q7
Miss Shirley Carrie Wi II iams, as a technical document
analyst, has found technical writing rewarding because "there is an inner satisfaction in knowing that
your skills are relied upon to aid in the completion of
a scientific paper or document."
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Why not be ...
a TECHNICAL WRITER?
If you are interested in SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
AND
If you like to WRITE
IS TECHNICAL WRITING THE RIGHT CAREER
FOR YOU?
Are you curious about the how and why of things?
Have you done well in mathematics and science
courses at school?
Do you express your thoughts concisely and clearly
in writing and speaking?
Why not help to bridge the communications gap
between scientists and other people?
Can you work cooperatively with other people?
Why not consider a career in
If YES is your answer
TECHNICAL WRITING?
AND
You are INTERESTED in translating the technical language of the scientist or engineer
into terms understandable to the layman-YOU may want to become a TECHNICAL WRITER!
WHAT IS A TECHNICAL WRITER?
Mother of two children, Mrs. Nancy H. Phillips is a
publications analyst for the IBM Corporation. Managing career and home responsibi I ities, she says, "required understanding, cooperation, and participating
interest on the part of my family in what I was doing.
Often, when the children were young, they had to discipline themselves to do homework and house duties
when I worked overtime . . . or took evening courses."
Photo: IBM Corp.
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
A techn ica I writer is a communications specia I ist
who interprets scientific and technical language
so that it can be understood by those who need to
use it, such as management for decisionmaking
purposes, technicians for operating and maintaining industria I equipment, and consumers for
assembling and operating products they have
purchased.
Miss Katherine Broberg, a 1966 graduate working at the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, Bethesda,
Md., gathers facts from nurse Roberta Seward for an article
she is writing on the emergency "crash cart."
WHAT DOES A TECHNICAL WRITER DO?
WHERE DOES THE TECHNICAL WRITER WORK?
The job of the technical writer varies with the
nature of the organization for which she works.
As a technical writer you might prepare
Wherever scientific or engineering work is performed
technical writers are required.
. manuals that explain how to assemble, operate,
disassemble, and maintain equipment.
. proposals for new business or for government
contracts that include detailed specifications
and documentation.
. brochures or publicity releases on a company's
scientific or technical achievements.
. progress reports, scientific articles, or
monographs.
. technical correspondence.
. abstracts, technical notes, or memorandums.
. speeches, news releases, product data sheets,
or advertisements.
The technical writer frequently has to consult with
engineers, doctors, scientists, and other technical
personnel when working on a project.
Since technical writers often arrange for the preparation of tables, charts, illustrations, and other artwork, they also may work with technical illustrators,
draftsmen, or photographers, and must be conversant
with the techniques of illustration and reproduction.
Mrs. Burke A. Hedderich, at Xerox Data Systems, El Segundo,
Calif., has found in technical writing the opportunity to
combine her "sti 11 strong interest in engineering with a desire to write." She receives a great sense of accomplishment from her work because the "finished product is a tangible object--a brochure, catalog, handbook, or newsletter."
Phorn: Sundstrand
Technical writers are employed by aerospace industries, pharmaceutical firms, research laboratories,
hospitals, universities, chemical companies, electronics factories, assembly plants, food-processing
companies, government agencies--practically every
place where something is constructed, assembled,
processed, or researched. Technical writers also
are employed by scientific and engineering magazines and by technical writing and publishing
companies .
The sciences that require technical literature include medicine, biology, mathematics, engineering,
astronomy, physics, geology, and some of the behaviora I fields such as psychology, economics, and
linguistics.
ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN
IN TECHNICAL WRITING?
Growing numbers of women have been entering the
field of technical writing in recent years. As the
employment of technical writers continues, especially
in medical, aerospace, antipollution, and related
industries, prospects for wel 1-qual ified women are
good.
Miss Betty Jane Corday, President of Techscribe and Edit, Bethesda, Md.,
finds great satisfaction in her work as a technical writer, since it "perm its an increase in knowledge in a multitude of scientific and engineering
categories while on the job." Here she is discussing an aerospace brochure with Mr. David Weinstein, head of an advertising firm.
Why not be ...
a TECHNICAL WRITER?
If you are interested in SCIENCE and TECHNOLOGY
AND
If you like to WRITE
IS TECHNICAL WRITING THE RIGHT CAREER
FOR YOU?
Are you curious about the how and why of things?
Have you done well in mathematics and science
courses at school?
Do you express your thoughts concisely and clearly
in writing and speaking?
Why not help to bridge the communications gap
between scientists and other people?
Can you work cooperatively with other people?
Why not consider a career in
If YES is your answer
TECHNICAL WRITING?
AND
You are INTERESTED in translating the technical language of the scientist or engineer
into terms understandable to the layman-YOU may want to become a TECHNICAL WRITER!
WHAT IS A TECHNICAL WRITER?
Mother of two children, Mrs. Nancy H. Phillips is a
publications analyst for the IBM Corporation. Managing career and home responsibi I ities, she says, "required understanding, cooperation, and participating
interest on the part of my family in what I was doing.
Often, when the children were young, they had to discipline themselves to do homework and house duties
when I worked overtime . . . or took evening courses."
Photo: IBM Corp.
A techn ica I writer is a communications specia I ist
who interprets scientific and technical language
so that it can be understood by those who need to
use it, such as management for decisionmaking
purposes, technicians for operating and maintaining industria I equipment, and consumers for
assembling and operating products they have
purchased.
Miss Katherine Broberg, a 1966 graduate working at the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, Bethesda,
Md., gathers facts from nurse Roberta Seward for an article
she is writing on the emergency "crash cart."
WHAT DOES A TECHNICAL WRITER DO?
WHERE DOES THE TECHNICAL WRITER WORK?
The job of the technical writer varies with the
nature of the organization for which she works.
As a technical writer you might prepare
Wherever scientific or engineering work is performed
technical writers are required.
. manuals that explain how to assemble, operate,
disassemble, and maintain equipment.
. proposals for new business or for government
contracts that include detailed specifications
and documentation.
. brochures or publicity releases on a company's
scientific or technical achievements.
. progress reports, scientific articles, or
monographs.
. technical correspondence.
. abstracts, technical notes, or memorandums.
. speeches, news releases, product data sheets,
or advertisements.
The technical writer frequently has to consult with
engineers, doctors, scientists, and other technical
personnel when working on a project.
Since technical writers often arrange for the preparation of tables, charts, illustrations, and other artwork, they also may work with technical illustrators,
draftsmen, or photographers, and must be conversant
with the techniques of illustration and reproduction.
Mrs. Burke A. Hedderich, at Xerox Data Systems, El Segundo,
Calif., has found in technical writing the opportunity to
combine her "sti 11 strong interest in engineering with a desire to write." She receives a great sense of accomplishment from her work because the "finished product is a tangible object--a brochure, catalog, handbook, or newsletter."
Phorn: Sundstrand
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Technical writers are employed by aerospace industries, pharmaceutical firms, research laboratories,
hospitals, universities, chemical companies, electronics factories, assembly plants, food-processing
companies, government agencies--practically every
place where something is constructed, assembled,
processed, or researched. Technical writers also
are employed by scientific and engineering magazines and by technical writing and publishing
companies .
The sciences that require technical literature include medicine, biology, mathematics, engineering,
astronomy, physics, geology, and some of the behaviora I fields such as psychology, economics, and
linguistics.
ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN
IN TECHNICAL WRITING?
Growing numbers of women have been entering the
field of technical writing in recent years. As the
employment of technical writers continues, especially
in medical, aerospace, antipollution, and related
industries, prospects for wel 1-qual ified women are
good.
Miss Betty Jane Corday, President of Techscribe and Edit, Bethesda, Md.,
finds great satisfaction in her work as a technical writer, since it "perm its an increase in knowledge in a multitude of scientific and engineering
categories while on the job." Here she is discussing an aerospace brochure with Mr. David Weinstein, head of an advertising firm.
-0
WHAT SALARIES CAN TECHNICAL WRITERS
EXPECT TO EARN?
In 1970 inexperienced technical writers with a
bachelor's degree were hired in private industry at
starting annual salaries ranging from $6,000 to
$8,000; those with experience earned up to $16 ,000.
In 1971 inexperienced technical writers in the Federal service with a bachelor's degree started at
$6,938 or $8,582, depending upon their college
records. Those with 3 years' experience started at
$12,615 or $15,040.
~
►
:I:
0
(1)
::,
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(fl
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3 CD
::;·o
vi" ::0
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Some technical writers are freelance writers.
Part-time work also is available.
~
-
Q)
r+
o·
_.
:::J
L3h.
HOW CAN YOU QUALIFY AS A TECHNICAL
WRITER?
110:
. In high school, take as many science, math, and
English courses as you can.
• In college, major in science, mathematics, or
engineering. Include elective courses in technical writing, advanced composition, feature writing,
graphics, and printing processes .
. Or, major in technical writing, English, or
journal ism and include elective courses in science,
mathematics, and engineering .
. Get as much writing practice as possible through
extracurricular activities, such as your school
newspaper or magazine.
q7
Miss Shirley Carrie Wi II iams, as a technical document
analyst, has found technical writing rewarding because "there is an inner satisfaction in knowing that
your skills are relied upon to aid in the completion of
a scientific paper or document."
https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Why not be a
Technical Writer?
&z
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U)
(/)- '<
3 rn
7J
)>
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@FedFRASER