Hi Margaret, Welcome to docs-discuss! If you are interested in learning new technology all the time, I would say that a major other than engineering isn't a barrier to entry into the tech writing field. An engineering background is always very helpful, but not required, in my experience. I would suggest though, that if you have access to technical communications courses, that is a better route than just the English major for this field. The tech comm courses should specialize the writing skills for software/hardware documentation problems you will solve as a tech writer and will introduce you to the tools, research, and communications skills you'll build on in your tech writing career. Technical Communications Master's degree or access to same courses at bachelor level will prepare you well. I would also recommend internships in support roles, where you might do tech support for your campus computer lab or intern at small company and answer support calls. Feel free to send along other questions as you have them.
Regards, Michelle Olson OpenSolaris Documentation Community Leader Margaret McNulty wrote: > Hello, this is my first time posting here so I hope I'm doing everything > correctly. I am a college student who is considering technical writing as a > career. My major is English, but I have a decent background in computer > science and engineering. However, I'm always looking to learn more, as at the > moment my "Writing" skills far outweigh the "Technical". I'm wondering if not > being an engineering major is a significant barrier to trying to enter the > field, and furthermore if a Master's degree is necessary. If a Master's > degree is necessary, what programs would be most acceptable for an English > major trying to get into the field? > > > This message posted from opensolaris.org > _______________________________________________ > docs-discuss mailing list > docs-discuss at opensolaris.org >
