A Day in the Life of a Technical Writer

Hello! I’m Susan. I work for a software company as a Technical Writer. I write the software manuals that the company uses in-house and those it publishes for customers. But I don't only write manuals; I do other projects within the company as well.

For instance, sometimes I edit a manual that someone else has created or revise or add on to an existing manual. I also participate in other colleagues' usability tests. A usability test is testing manuals with real users in real-life situations to determine whether the user can effectively use the manual. Other times, I create marketing brochures about the company for the company to distrubute to prospective clients, customers, and potential employees. I also help in the web development department. My favorite part of my job is when I get to create the graphics. Technical Writing also encompasses creating and manipulating graphics similar to the graphics on this webpage.

I’m Thomas. I work for a large video game company and I try out new games for a living. I write the instructions for these games and help design the packaging of the finished product.

A company whose goal is to get gamers to buy their books in order to win the games also employs me. I play the games and look for glitches, talk to the programmers and determine what their goal was in creating certain aspects of the game, and help them to make the game play smoothly.

These computer guys really listen to me because they know I want to help them make money. The better I do my job, the more money we all make! We work together to make the customers happy.

Like Susan, I freelance also. I make enough money off my first job that my freelance work consists of writing brochures for domestic violence shelters pro-bono (free of charge). I enjoy helping out my community and I enjoy doing anything I can do to make other people’s lives easier.

One other freelance job I do consists of creating and writing brochures for travel agencies. I get paid very well for this work and I get to travel as well. There are so many perks being a technical writer once you find your niche.