What should you major in?
Which college major is most useful if you want to become a technical writer? You might think that the logical choice is English or journalism.
However, you need something more than the basic communications skills to be gained from a liberal arts major such as English: a technical background.
Technical writers generally specialize in a particular industry—for example, computers, engineering, medicine, or finance—and it helps immensely to have training and experience working in your chosen industry.
I have spent my career working as a technical writer on engineering and software development projects. What helped me to be successful?
Well, the technical groundwork was laid by taking two years of engineering in college (including calculus, physics, chemistry, and computer programming).
While still in college, I was fortunate enough to spend more than a year working as a paid engineering intern at Bechtel Power Corporation, alternating semesters of full-time work and school.
I will confess that my mom and dad helped me get the interview, because they knew the recruiter. Friends and relatives can be invaluable in getting your resume to the right person.
While still a student, I also spent a short time working as a computer programmer (until the boss put the moves on me, but that’s a whole other story).
Even though I graduated with a B.A. in ancient and medieval history—which is not exactly a meal ticket—I already had more than one year of technical experience upon graduation.
I also gained essential computer skills by buying a personal computer immediately after graduation and mastering the software needed to write, edit, format, and publish books.
So here’s what I recommend:
#1. Major in English, minor in science or engineering. If you primarily love to write, major in English, journalism, or history (any of the traditional liberal arts with a heavy emphasis on reading and writing), but add a minor in science or engineering. Make sure you take courses in math, physics, chemistry, computer programming, and web design.
#2. Major in science or engineering, minor in English. If you are interested in a particular technical field (rather than writing in general), major in that field, be it biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or computer science, and minor in English, journalism, or history. Make sure you take courses in literature, technical writing (not just creative writing), and web design.
#3. Intern (either paid or not) in a technical field. For example, if you want to become a medical technical writer, volunteer to research and write articles for a medical foundation. I gained valuable experience while still in college by volunteering to write a tour guide for the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. and later writing education articles and managing the website for a non-profit education foundation. Years later, these volunteer positions helped me land well-paying jobs.
Before you graduate, make sure to put together a portfolio.
