548 Technical Writer Reviews

"Technical writing is a very broad field. In my experience if the company you're working for focuses on usability first and then communicating to audiences life is good. When the company expects for your technical writing to compensate for their crappy product, better look for another job."

"I love the discovery process, working side-by-side with software developers, learning about the cutting edge of technology, actually _building_ something. I find fulfillment in creating documentation that makes those developers look good, and I enjoy devising the narrative for classroom presentations to end-users. The downside: the minute I write the final page, or teach the final class, the CIO points me to the door. Most firms dismiss Technical Writers in an effort to save money. When a new project ramps up, a Technical Writer isn't brought in until the last minute, then expected to ramp up quickly. It compromises consistency, and forces a new Style Guide on each subsequent project. Companies should be advised to maintain at least one Tech Writer for continuity between projects. It would get the job done faster and more efficiently."

"I went from field service to technical support to technical writing. I found the stress level drastically decrease when I started writing. I was left to determine my own priorities as long as the work was performed on time. If someone wanted a document or drawing done in 2 weeks, I usually gave it to them in 2 days. I enjoyed the praise for a job well-done, which I did not get from field service."

"I love the diversity that comes with being a technical writer. I used to hate going into environments that were very office politic driven. I have not experienced this with NMBS, and that is one of the reasons I enjoy working with them so much."

"I love to enter a new a company and be able to learn so much and how to portray that information in the different documents needed. I would be honest, sometimes it is tough to sit all 8 or 9 hours in front of the computer."

"All technical writers are not the same. The main difference in the type I am is my professional experience. I was able to perform duties as a subject matter expert, technical writer, instructional designer, and production manager. All of the contracts were over a million plus and everyone that I worked on were delivered on time and budget. 100% customer satisfaction."

"I really enjoy working as a technical writer and instructional designer. The one area that I do not enjoy is working with others that are not team players. Success in this field relies on solid team efforts and the ability to be creative. As technology advances so must the quality of training."

"I love that the project changes and I hate that my role remains the same... I can do this in my sleep and need to evolve."

"I'm good at technical writing. Sometimes I can do it in my sleep. On a good day, I interact with skilled people, use new software, and produce documents or help systems that I am proud of. Technical writers are not greatly valued in most organizations. Sometimes they are literally ignored, as in getting no response to phone calls or e-mails. Often the responses are perfunctory. Often technical writers are locked into corporate style standards and workflows."

"I love to explain difficult and not obvious technology to the reader. I research my reader as best as I can, and try to assist the reader in understanding the technology and using it quickly and easily."

"Love being this kind of editor. I know I am making a contribution. It is for sure a tradecraft. Have to be good at what I do; all writing must be clear and void of ambiguity."

"I enjoyed working with my fellow coworkers. We were able to get along well and worked proficiently together."

"Contract work can be challenging, but overall I enjoy learning new things, and being a technical writer allows me to do that."

"I enjoy that I am very good at it. I like design and making the right blend of words an graphics. I like when I am trusted to make documentation decisions and support the company with my product.I dislike the routine that sometimes happens...cranking out the same stuff everyday"

"I love being a technical writer because I like the research part of my job. I like being able to produce a publication with complete graphics and the material that I have been able to gather from internet searches, subject matter experts, and various other forms of information. What I hate about my job is working for the government and not always getting a clear deadline for the technical manual or publication I was trying to write."