One would almost always assume working in the IT world would be fully based on heavy computer interaction and intricate computer knowhow, but this is not the universal case. Some IT individuals are more so utilizing computers' capabilities to conduct their work, not actually molding computers as work. Such an IT individual is commonly referred to as a "Technical Writer."

What Technical Writers Do?

Obviously, what one would expect, write. Technical writers are given responsibility to organize, write and edit scientific and/or technical materials, which can range from instructional materials, technical manuals or product documentation.

Essentially, technical writers act as a linking device for communication purposes between information and product developers and the direct people who use these particular products being written about.

Beyond employment in the computer industry, a substantial portion of technical writers work in such areas as research and development laboratories, health care and insurance companies, manufacturing plants and even in the film industry.

How Technical Writers Work

Simply due to the technical aspect and style technical writers must abide by, a well-understood stance must be maintained and continually polished. By well-understood is implying thorough comprehension, either of the equipment and/or the procedure one will be writing about. This is merely necessary to produce an actual and accurate technical document.

Getting to know the software or hardware which will be written about is crucial too. And since one is essentially creating a document in full with nothing to guide one along, it's imperative to acquire knowledge of the product through self-use and/or research or through information provided by designers (by contact via email or an actual interview) or expert users of the specific products.

With this familiarization in mind, many drafts are drawn up and toyed with. Information prone to going through the drafting, editing and revising processes include the following: user manuals for automated systems, procedural pamphlets, articles for company trade journals or newsletters, sales literature, research proposals or reports, publicity releases, brochures, catalogs, Internet documentation, training manuals and maintenance or reference manuals.

Challenges and Looking Ahead

Being a technical writer involves the ability to stay flexible and readiness to constantly learn and even relearn. It is expected of technical writers to know all subject matters that will be documented so that such information can be explained and disseminated to a wider audience of others. Writing intelligibly and concisely is important, especially since subject matters are technical or scientific in nature.

As a detailed and specific type of work, technical writing calls for strong organizational ability and prolonged capacity for focused diligence. One should be able to research and consolidate data or information then take such info and break it down to better simplify complex information simply and accurately.

Looking ahead, it seems a high demand for technical writers is continuing to progress forward. This is simply because our technology is expanding at a definite rate, one in which will prove quite accessible and advantageous for anyone pursuing a career in the IT world as a technical writer.

So, if one is looking to pursue a career in the IT world, but lacks computer savvy, have no worry. One can seek work in the IT sphere as a technical writer, a position that is of utmost importance in the systematic realm that is any IT company.