1. Technical Writer Agricultural Careers
By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Trisha Rae Stephens
Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office
Georgia Department of Education
June 2005
START

2. Job Duties & Responsibilities
Analyze the needs of the target audience
Study data and conduct in-depth interviews with subject matter experts to understand the product or procedure
Index and cross-reference documents such as bulletins and manuals
Produce or arrange information for illustrations, charts, and photographs to be included in publications
Edit, standardize, or revise material prepared by other writers or personnel
Prepare layout of material for publication
Prepare rough drafts of the publication for review with the project staff and/or customers
Create and edit Web pages for the Internet, intranets, and extranets

3. Qualities and Skills Able to sit for long periods of time
Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls
Make fast, simple, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists
Use fingers or hands to grasp, move, or assemble small objects
Speak clearly so listeners can understand
Excellent writing skills
Active listeners
Organized and patient

4. Salary
Hourly wages for a technical writer ranges from $22.28 to $33.64 and the average hourly wages for a technical writer is about $ The average annual wages for a technical writer is about $59,612.

5. Work Environment Usually work at a desk in an office
During planning and production of publications, writers may be required to travel to another location to discuss a project with others
Use personal computers and word processing or desktop publishing software for text, graphic, and multimedia production
Often have strict deadlines to meet
Technical writers who work under contract or freelance may work from their home or at the employer's site
Writers may work alone or together under the supervision of a publication chief, editor, a product or procedure specialist, or a marketing manager

6. Becoming a Technical Writer
High school courses should include communication, journalism (especially interviewing skills), English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanical drawing, graphic arts, and computer-related subjects.
Technical writers should acquire a solid background in the industry that interests them as a specialty.
Completion of a degree or certificate program in technical writing is very helpful and available through community colleges and university continuing education programs.
High school and college newspapers and magazines can provide valuable writing experience.

7. Career Resources
Society for Technical Communication, Inc. 901 N. Stuart Street, Suite 904 Arlington, VA Internet:
National Writers Union - National Office West th Street, #101 Oakland, CA Internet:
American Society of Indexers West 44th Avenue, Suite 304 Wheat Ridge, CO Internet: