| Technical Writing in India: Is it as good as anywhere | | | | asked to pitch in for test case development, product |
| else? | | | | testing, creating API code, creating java |
| Technical Writing generally translates to a piece of | | | | documentation etc. |
| writing that conjures up an image in the mind of a | | | | More recently, a technical writer has grown to don |
| layman about any device or software application. | | | | the garb of a graphic designer, web-content |
| In other words, the job profile of a technical writer | | | | developer etc. Since a technical background is not a |
| involves writing and designing user guides, brochures | | | | prerequisite for a technical writer, many writers foray |
| and white papers for a plethora of products. | | | | into the field even with a Humanities background. |
| Though these procedures are not new, their | | | | The one and only criterion, going by the current |
| categorisation under the term "Technical Writing" is | | | | Indian standards, would be a firm grasp over the |
| quite recent. The latest entrant in the software field | | | | Queen's language and a strong analytical mind. The |
| is not a whiz kid from IIT, but might be a journalist | | | | prevalent need, is however to meet International |
| or an English literature graduate. This option is here to | | | | standards in English usage. US companies recognise |
| stay, what with India slowly accepting the prospect | | | | the need for a trained technical writer and that adds |
| of technical writing as a full-fledged career at par with | | | | to the hiring and training impetus for technical |
| more popular contenders. | | | | documentators. |
| Now, the Indian technical writing scenario would seem | | | | The US provides a lot of scope and opportunities for |
| very bleak for an onlooker who doesn't delve deeper | | | | training and specialized study of the subject. In |
| into the layers. This field was practically unknown till | | | | comparison, Indian universities shy away from |
| the 1990s. Tata Consultancy Services was a pioneer | | | | offering unconventional and lesser-known courses |
| in creating a need for the current crop of technical | | | | aka Technical writing. The technical writers, who |
| wordsmiths. | | | | already exist in the industry having created a golden |
| Over a decade old, this profession does not have | | | | niche, are fast emerging as the "trainers" for this |
| many takers, but does boast of a strong following in | | | | career option. Some of the Indian universities like the |
| the various metros. In Bangalore the number is | | | | Calicut University and the Mumbai University have |
| believed to be 500-600. Even by an optimistic view, | | | | woken up to this profession and have included the |
| the number of technical writers across the nation | | | | subject in their curricula. |
| would be approximately 6000. These statistics prove | | | | This trend, may give the Technical Writing profession |
| that, corporate bosses and the software industry as | | | | the impetus it requires. The final recruiters, |
| a whole recognized the need for a specialized | | | | Corporates, MNCs need to step in boldly to hire and |
| documentation team very lately. | | | | provide customized training to fresh technical writers. |
| The technical writing job has long come out of the | | | | This might beckon the golden dawn for Technical |
| confines of being a strict documentation-related | | | | Writing in India! |
| activity. In some organisations, technical writers are | | | | |