Entry Level Qualification 

12

Career Fields 

Information Technology & Computer Science

For Specially Abled 

Career Entrance Exam 

CUET UG

About Career 

Technical Writers write various types of documents to communicate complex technical information in a language which is easily understood by common people who may not have any technology background. The most common examples are the product instruction manuals that you get when you buy an electronic gadget such as a television set, mobile phone, air-conditioner, etc. The installation guides, the user guides, instruction manuals, etc. are all created and written by Technical Writers.

Technical Writers also work to disseminate technical information among people with some technical knowledge. For example, they may prepare a manual for car servicing technicians about how to repair and maintain a car. They may prepare a document to instruct a computer hardware technician about how to assemble a computer CPU. 

In the current industrial scenario

Technical writing critically covers all types of documentation of complex technical processes includingbut not limited to

1. Operational/instructional/testing/ maintenance documents – like user guides for a software, say suppose aircraft flying software for crewmen

2. Reports -for example for an organization’s action plans

3. Policy & procedure manuals- such as legal policy documents or public policies of a government agency

4. Briefs – about a meeting agenda etc.

5. Proposals or request for proposals (RFPs) – for example bids to earn prospective clients

6. Booklets

7. Catalogs – like trade catalogs distributed by manufacturers of tilling machinery for an example

8. Technical/ administrative issues for paper, multimedia or web-based publication

9. Manuscripts – such as scientific papers written by experimentalists about their research

10. Literature review – reviews of research publications, for example.

11. Abstracts – the introductory part of a research paper in any field like science, architecture or social sciences or psychology or others

12. Posters – usually presented in an international conference or symposium where researchers demonstrate a short descriptive illustration on a poster about their research

13. Slide presentationsand other types of technical content

Whenever technical information is conveyed in writing at work, it is, by definition, technical writing.

Primary ability and duties of a Technical Writer

Technical Writers have the ability to structure complex technical information in a user-friendly manner. They also tediously assess what information is critical for the reader. They take advanced technical concepts and communicate them as clearly, accurately, and comprehensively as possible to their intended audience.

For example, a car manual has everything - all minute details including the tips for driving the car more efficiently and how to prolong the life of various parts such as brakes & transmission.

Print and Electronic Forms

Today, technical writing documents appear in two forms mostly: print and electronic coupled to Internet protocols, with the electronic format being the more prevalent and popular for consumption through mass media.

Also, in electronic form these documents may include multiple media such as high-resolution graphics, audio and video clips, animation sequences, and visual effects.

The Eight Golden Parameters

Hence, the activity, that a reader is supposed to do, guides Technical Writers on how to format their communication. As a Technical Writer, you will constantly have a combination of these queries at work and you must resolve them to produce content that has high degrees of honesty, clarity, accuracy, comprehensiveness, accessibility, conciseness, professional appearance, and correctness. These are the eight parameters that are measured to designate technical documents as useful.

Finding the answers

So, at work you will keep asking yourself:

The one primary question - Who is the intended audience?

The Whats:-

1. The audience’s role

2. Form that the reader expects

3. The audience’s intentions

4. The audience’s knowledge level

5. Factors influencing the situation

6. The demographic characteristics in case of multiple targets

The How:-

How does the reader feel about the subject/ the sender?

The Why:-

Why does the audience need to perform that task? (mostly in case of technical instructional materials)

Application fields

Technical writers may specialize in a particular area but must have a good understanding of the products they describe. For example, writers working in the software development field must possess basic scripting knowledge and an understanding of the tools used by the engineers during software development.

Whereas, other technical writers may specialize in scientific/ medical documentation, e-commerce, or manufacturing industry related products and services. Today the maximum industrial absorption of Technical Writers is in the fields of IT, software development, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and defense.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

As a Technical Writer, you will be engaged with one or more of the following roles & responsibilities as well as other associated duties:

1. You will research and translate technical information (including engineering processes & specifications) into comprehensive descriptive matterusing texts, graphs, drawings etc. for nontechnical and technical users.

2. You will be creating, developing, planning, writing, & editing operational, instructional, testing or maintenance documents, reports, manuals, briefs, proposals, booklets, catalogs etc. for paper, multimedia or web-based publication.

3. You will be writing, editing, reconciling and managing high quality scientific research papers for publication/presentation or for submission to regulatory authorities and/or project teams.

4. You will study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to understand involved technology and other details.

5. You will collaborate with various teams such as application support teams, technical support teams, engineering teams, production teams, creative teams etc. to understand project requirements and ongoing operations.

6. You will conduct interviews with various users, customer representatives, vendors, employees or engineering/ production staff to gather data about products & services to ensure optimum usability of your work.

7. You will prepare charts, graphs, & diagrams as needed in technical documents and coordinate content with Subject Matter Experts (SME) for accuracy and effective communication.

8. You will recommend formats and produce written materials that conform to the enterprise standardization and quality assurance principles.

9. You will analyze developments in your specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.

10. You will maintain knowledge of current & future techniques and technologies through research, training labs, reading, conferences and experimentation with new technologies in the workplace as applicable.

Career Entry Pathway 

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – Bachelor degree in any Engineering discipline / Technology/ Physical Sciences/ Mathematics/ Similar

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can go for Bachelor degree in any Engineering discipline / Technology/ Physical Sciences/ Mathematics/ Similar.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – Bachelor degree in any subject of Bioscience/ Biotechnology/ Pharmaceutical Sciences / Medical Sciences/ Animal Sciences/ Agricultural Science/ Veterinary Sciences/ Food Science/ similar

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can go for Bachelor degree in any subject such as Botany/ Zoology/ Microbiology/ Biochemistry/ Biophysics/ Biotechnology/ Pharmaceutical Sciences / Medical Sciences/ Animal Sciences/ Agricultural Science/ Veterinary Sciences/ Food Science/ similar.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – Bachelor degree in any Engineering discipline / Technology/ Physical Sciences/ Mathematics/ Similar – Master degree/ Diploma in Mass Communication/ Mass Communication and Journalism/ similar

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can go for Bachelor degree in any Engineering discipline / Technology/ Physical Sciences/ Mathematics/ Similar. Then go for Master degree/ Diploma in Mass Communication/ Mass Communication and Journalism/ similar.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies – Bachelor degree in any subject of Bioscience/ Biotechnology/ Pharmaceutical Sciences / Medical Sciences/ Animal Sciences/ Agricultural Science/ Veterinary Sciences/ Food Science/ similar - Master degree/ Diploma in Mass Communication/ Mass Communication and Journalism/ similar

After completing Class 11-12 Physics, Chemistry, and Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can go for Bachelor degree in any subject such as Botany/ Zoology/ Microbiology/ Biochemistry/ Biophysics/ Biotechnology/ Pharmaceutical Sciences / Medical Sciences/ Animal Sciences/ Agricultural Science/ Veterinary Sciences/ Food Science/ similar. Then go for a Master’s degree or Diploma in Mass Communication/ Mass Communication and Journalism/ similar.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with any subject combination as per scheme of studies – Bachelor degree in English/ regional language/ Mass Communication / Mass Communication and Journalism/ Similar

After completing Class 11-12 with any subject combination as per scheme of studies, you can go for Bachelor degree in English/ any regional language/ Mass Communication / Mass Communication and Journalism/ Similar. Regional languages including but not limited to Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Odiya, Assamese, Marathi, Malayalam, Urdu, etc.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 with other subject combination as per scheme of studies– Bachelor degree in English/ regional language/ Mass Communication / Mass Communication and Journalism/ Similar – Master degree/ diploma in Mass Communication / Mass Communication and Journalism / Similar

After completing Class 11-12 with other subject combination as per scheme of studies, you can go for Bachelor degree in English/ any regional language/ Mass Communication / Mass Communication and Journalism/ Similar. Regional languages including but not limited to Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Odiya, Assamese, Marathi, Malayalam, Urdu, etc. Then go for Master degree/ diploma in Mass Communication / Mass Communication and Journalism / Similar.

Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies – Class 11-12 English Core along with any other subject as per scheme of studies- Bachelor's degree in English/Regional Language/ Mass Communication/ Mass Communication and Journalism/ Similar

After completing Class 11-12 English Core along with any other subject as per scheme of studies, you can go for a Bachelor's degree in English/Any Regional Language/ Mass Communication/ Journalism/ Similar. Regional languages including but not limited to Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Odiya, Assamese, Marathi, Malayalam, Urdu, etc. You may also go for a Master’s degree in your respective discipline or follow up your graduation with a Diploma in Technical Writing or Mass Communication or any other related subject.

Required Qualification & Competencies 

To get into this field, you will need to pass Class 10 all subjects as per scheme of studies. Then you must complete Class 11-12 with :

1. Physics. Chemistry, Mathematics along with any other subject as per scheme of studies

2. Any subject combination as per scheme of studies

3. Physics, Chemistry, Biology along with any other subject as per scheme of studies

4. English Core along with any other subject as per scheme of studies

After Class 11-12, you can go for a:

1. Bachelor’s degree in any Engineering discipline or Technology discipline

2. Bachelor’s degree in any Physical Science discipline

3. Bachelor’s degree in any Biological Science discipline

4. Bachelor’s degree in any other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical discipline

5. Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication/ Mass Communication and Journalism/ and related discipline

Then, you may study:

1. Master’s degree in any Engineering discipline or Technology discipline

2. Master’s degree in any Physical Science discipline

3. Master’s degree in any Biological Science discipline

4. Master’s degree in any other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical discipline

5. Master’s degree in Mass Communication/ Mass Communication and Journalism/ and related discipline

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Interests

1. You should have interests for Artistic Occupations. Artistic occupations mostly involve working with creative ideas, art and designs. These occupations involve abstract or conceptual thinking, creative self-expression and often do not follow any set processes or rules for getting things done.

2. You should have interests for Investigative Occupations. Investigative occupations involve working with ideas and quite a lot of thinking, often abstract or conceptual thinking. These involve learning about facts and figures; involve use of data analysis, assessment of situations, decision making and problem solving.

3. You should have interests for Conventional Occupations. Conventional occupations involve repetitive and routine tasks as well as fixed processes or procedures for getting things done. These occupations involve working more with data, systems, and procedures and less with ideas or creativity.

Knowledge

1. You should have knowledge of Communications and Media - Knowledge of how different mass media such as Internet, print, and social media works; how to produce content such as news, articles, other types of written materials, reports, presentations, blogs, papers, guides, booklets, manuscripts etc. This includes various ways to inform, instruct or entertain people.

2. You should have knowledge of Computers (Usage): Knowledge of using various computer software and applications for performing day-to-day tasks or official assignments.

3. You should have knowledge of English Language - Knowledge about English grammar, words, spelling, sentence construction, using English to communicate with others, reading in English, etc.

4. You may need knowledge of a Vernacular Language - Knowledge about the grammar, words, spelling, sentence construction, etc. of a local language and using the language to communicate with others, reading, etc.

Technological Skills

1. You will need experience working with Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe RoboHelp, Text Editor for HTML, WordPress, Joomla, Microsoft Visio.

2. You will experience working with Tools such as MadCap Flare for policy & procedure manuals, online help, software and API documentation, knowledge bases; TermWeb for transcultural communication (for translation of a target language); Acrolinx for editing purposes; CamStudio for screen & audio recording; Disqus for online discussions on published content.

3. You will experience working with WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors such as Adobe Dreamweaver, Coffee Cup’s HTML Editor, Mobirise, Web Builder 14, Net Objects Fusion, Blue Griffon 15, Sea Monkey etc.

Skills

1. You should have Writingskills - communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the readers.

2. You will need skills in Communication in English - Skills in communicating effectively in writing as well as verbally with others in English language.

3. You should have Reading Comprehension skills - Skills in understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

4. You should have Active Learning skills- Focused and continuous learning from various sources of information, observation and otherwise for application in getting work done.

5. You should have Critical Thinking skills- Skills in the analysis of complex situations, using logic and reasoning to understand the situations and take appropriate actions or make interpretations and inferences.

6. You should have Judgment and Decision Making Skills - considering pros and cons of various decision alternatives; considering costs and benefits; taking appropriate and suitable decisions.

7. You should have Problem Solving Skills - Skills in analysis and understanding of problems, evaluating various options to solve the problems and using the best option to solve the problems.

Ability

1. You should have Written Comprehension ability - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

2. You should have Written Expression ability - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3. You should have Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with several ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

4. You should have Information Ordering Ability - to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

5. You should have Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or innovative ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.

6. You should have Verbal Reasoning ability - The ability to think and reason with words; the ability to reason out ideas expressed in words.

7. You should have Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

8. You should have Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a long period of time without being distracted.

Personality Traits

1. You are imaginative sometimes.

2. You can always act independently or could do so in most situations.

3. You are always or mostly careful about your actions and behaviour.

4. You are always or mostly disciplined in your action and behaviour.

5. You are always calm or generally remain calm in most situations.

6. You are always or mostly organised in your day-to-day life and activities.

Career - Job Opportunities & Profiles 

Work as a Technical Writer or in related positions is varied, distinct in every field with diverse roles and responsibilities. Incumbents come from varying educational backgrounds with multiple variations in skill sets and aptitudes. Hence, collating all classes of opportunities under a single umbrella is pretty complicated. However, consider the following information as almost integrative but not exhaustive.

Your work may be focused in any one of these industrial verticals among others including but not limited to

1. Electronics

2. Healthcare

3. Infrastructure

4. Engineering

5. Retail

6. Telecommunications

7. Digital Media

8. Human Resources

9. Consumer products, Jewellery, apparel, design

10. Media (film, television, news)

If you join as Technical Writer Intern/ Junior Technical Writer/ Associate Technical Writer

1. Technical Writer

2. Documentation Specialist

3. Procedure Writer

4. Text Engineer

5. Technical author

6. Research Technical Writer

7. Technical Manual Writer

8. Scientific Writer

9. Academic Writer

10. Technical Editor

11. User Documentation Specialist

12. Technical Describer

13. Technical Content Writer

14. Technical Specification Editor

You may work with -

1. Engineering/ IT companies :- Create/edit a variety of detailed end-user documents (user content & product documentation) with technical information into easy-to-understand instructions; performing technical writing, research, & related editing functions to prepare business proposals, reports, user documentation, briefings & presentations, publish corporate communications, guidelines, and other written materials; working closely with various departments to understand project requirements. This may be in different fields including software, infrastructure, telecommunications, real estate.

2. Pharmaceuticals companies and related healthcare businesses :- support the development of all technical documentation; Create/edit a variety of detailed end-user documents with technical information into easy-to-understand instructions; coordinating, reviewing, & preparation/maintenance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), validation protocols, preparing specifications, preparing master batch records, publish corporate communications, preparing certificates of analysis, and other controlled documents

3. Media/ news production companies or related businesses :- writing articles, news, blogs, website content, press releases, social writing, publish corporate communications etc.

4. Any consultancies providing HR, sales, marketing, & recruitment services or such advisory services to startups, emerging or established companies such as Capgemini, Randstad India Ltd., Adecco Group AG, Collabera Technologies Pvt. Ltd., and many more.

5. Consumer products, Jewellery, apparel manufacturers, crafts/ accessories designers etc.

SPECIALISATION TRACKS IN THIS CAREER

Technical Writer (Web, Mobile & Software Development)

This includes all Technical Writers who are employed in the IT – ITES industry working with software development companies as well as consulting agencies who provide content writing services to such companies. Their work includes user manuals, design specifications, functional manuals, programming manuals, testing manuals instructional guides, installation demos etc. which are in line with the product delivery. These products are any kind of software including desktop software, ecommerce software, games, mobile phone software, both system/ application software or server software, data center hypervisors etc., anything that you can possibly think of that runs on suites of software.

Scientific Writer (Pharmaceuticals)

Scientific Writers working in the pharmaceutical industry are highly paid experts performing very essential roles revolving around writing, editing, reconciling and managing high quality medical & scientific communications including manuscripts, literature review, abstracts, posters, slide sets for publication/presentation or for submission to regulatory authorities and/or clinical teams. They are involved in preparing such content (literary or media if presentations) working from various data sources including clinical study reports, patient profiles, protocols, etc.

Technical Writer (Engineering & Architecture)

Technical Writers may also be employed in the engineering and infrastructure industry to create/edit a variety of detailed end-user documents (user content & product documentation) with technical information into easy-to-understand instructions; performing technical writing, research, & related editing functions to prepare business proposals, reports, user documentation, briefings & presentations, publish corporate communications, guidelines, and other written materials; working closely with various departments to understand project requirements.

Technical Writer (IT & Networking)

Technical Writers may be involved in delivering assistive content for network hardware and software. Such content also includes user manuals, design specifications, functional manuals, programming manuals, testing manuals instructional guides, installation demos etc. Computer Networking mainly involves connectivity between hardware components such as servers, PCs, laptops, modems, switches, wired or wireless routers which is established to communicate/share/store information. The communication happens with a set of rules assigned to each machine. These sets of rules are “protocols” developed by some Language hence it is software. So, in order to develop information management systems or assistive materials for such integrative networking systems, a Writer must be using methodical knowledge to bring technical information into proper shape. They are also employed in the IT - ITES industry.

Technical Writer (Informative, Design or Creative Content)

Technical Writers can be involved in any informative, design or creative writing functions specifically for either circulation over the Internet (as a marketing material for companies they work for) or in electronic formats for client use or for publications in gazettes, periodical issues, federal registers etc. Written materials can be focused on art, illustration, graphics, a technology, an industrial trend, logo design, photography, travel or may be academic writing, blog writing, trans-language conversions, grant writing, resume writing or copywriting (composing advertising materials for products/ services). These can be permanent industrial roles with firms or freelancing roles associated with contractual positions with companies. Writers may also be employed by Government departments or ministries to develop a variety of materials that inform the public about policies, programs & services; as well as to evaluate the public information of written materials & visual information for both external and internal audiences.

CAREER GROWTH

Many aspirants are also proceeding to complete their Doctoral studies especially the ones in the Life Sciences domain aiming to associate with a drug manufacturer/ analytics laboratory after their PhD.

After a Master’s degree, stipend in India while doing PhD is about Rs. 35,000-38,000 a month in a university or research centre or as a Research Associate with a salary of about Rs. 15,000-20,000 a month.

In other organizations/companies mostly after a Ph.D. as a Scientific Writer, salaries in India may vary between Rs. 50,000-1,20,000 a month or even more.

Salary Offered  

1. At the entry level jobs with private companies, you may expect to get about: Rs. 25,000 – 40,000 or even more a month (higher sides by MNCs to premier institution graduates). In junior level jobs (after 5+ years of experience), you can make about Rs. 35,000 – 65,000 or more per month.

2. In mid-level jobs with private companies in India, you can expect to earn about Rs. 45,000 – 95,000 or even more a month.

3. In senior-leveljobswith private companies in India, you can expect to earn about Rs. 70,000 – 2, 00,000 or even more a month.

4. All higher ranges are by MNC Consulting firms/ engineering firms/ pharmaceuticals companies/ architectural firms and lower ones by medium to small scale Indian companies/ media startups/ content freelancing agencies.

5. Major opportunities with startups today are concentrated at Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Vizag, Chennai and Delhi in declining order of abundance.

6. Many aspirants are also proceeding to complete their Doctoral studies especially the ones in the Life Sciences domain aiming to associate with a drug manufacturer/ analytics laboratory after their PhD.

7. After a Master’s degree, stipend in India while doing PhD is about Rs. 35,000-38,000 a month in a university or research centre or as a Research Associate with a salary of about Rs. 15,000-20,000 a month.

8. In other organizations/companies mostly after a Ph.D. as a Scientific Writer, salaries in India may vary between Rs. 50,000-1,20,000 a month or even more.

MONTHLY EARNINGS IN INDIAN RUPEE 

1. Entry level: 0 - 2 years of work experience

2. Junior Level: From 1 to 12 years of work experience

3. Mid-Level: From 5 to 20+ years of work experience 

4. Senior Level: From 10 to 25+ years of work experience (there could be exceptions in some high-end technical, financial, engineering, creative, management, sports, and other careers; also in the near future, people will reach these levels much faster in many careers and in some careers, these levels will have no meaning as those careers will be completely tech skill driven such as even now, there is almost no level in a Cyber Security Expert’s job)

Famous Personalities 

Information not available.

Work Activities 

1. Analysing and interpreting data and information - Analysis of data and information to find facts, trends, reasons behind situations, etc.; interpretation of data to aid in decision making.

2. Communicating with co-workers and others -Communicating with people in writing through delivery of various types of literary/ media content for internal as well as an external audience who have professional relationships with your place of work including clients, government, etc. or with people at large.

3. Creative thinking - Developing new ideas, concepts, innovative solutions to problems, newer ways of getting things done, designing products and services, creating work of art and craft, etc.

4. Getting Information and learning - Observing, hearing, reading, using computers, or otherwise obtaining information and learning from it.

5. Making decisions and solving problems - Analysis of data and information; evaluation of alternative decisions and results of decisions; taking the right decisions and solving problems.

6. Organising, planning and prioritizing tasks - Planning and organising tasks in order to achieve work goals; prioritizing tasks to achieve goals and making the best use of the time available.

7. Processing information - Compiling, tabulating, calculating, auditing, verifying or otherwise dealing with information processing including data entry, transcription, recording, storing and maintaining databases.

8. Strategic planning - Developing visions and goals, developing strategies and action plans for achieving visions and goals.

9. Translating and interpreting - Translating or interpreting information for other people which are written or spoken in languages that other people do not understand.

10. Updating and using relevant knowledge - Keeping updated with the latest knowledge relevant to your fields of work and use of the relevant knowledge in getting things done.

11. Using computers for work - Using computers for day-to-day office work; using computer software for various applications in day-to-day professional work; entering data and process information; for writing.

12. Working in a team - Working in a team of people; developing team; maintaining professional relationships among team members.