Technical writing is a relatively vague term by today’s standards. As technology and business processes have evolved, “technical writing” itself has expanded to encompass a huge spectrum of responsibilities.

Many people believe that the role of a technical writer is to write the instruction manual for their new iPhone, but, in fact, that’s only a narrow scope of the potential job outlook. There’s an immense need for technical writers in industries outside of tech manufacturing and product support, as well. While the role continues to change over time, here’s a look at some of today’s most popular technical writing roles.

Business and Finance

For many organizations, there’s a need to communicate information mined from complex data sources. For example, investors and stockholders would be interested in a company’s performance to evaluate their return. However, these business partners may not be familiar with the raw technical jargon used to explain the numbers. A technical writer may compile reports and data in a more meaningful and comprehensible format to communicate clear information to stakeholders.

Training Manuals

Making sure that new employees, or even existing ones, are properly trained and capable of performing their job duties is an essential aspect of business operations. Whether it’s a policy/procedures guide, simple job aids, or federally mandated compliance regulations, a technical writer is responsible for clearly communicating expectations by means of printed hard copy or developing computer-based training modules.

Marketing

When advertising a product or service, communicating key information to the consumer or other businesses is critical to generate business. Technical writers are often used to identify and translate the purpose and benefits of complicated products or services, helping consumers understand the power of their purchase.

Product Usability

When a company develops a new product or software, a technical writer may evaluate the overall functionality of the product. In this role, a technical writer would assess each technical aspect of the product and validate documentation. Many times, a technical writer plays an integral role in the user experience team.

These examples are certainly not all-inclusive. The possible career outlook for a technical writer is virtually limitless, especially considering the rate at which technology and businesses are advancing. If you’re looking to step into a technical writing role, consider your personal interests and pursue opportunities in areas you are passionate about. Chances are, you’ll find that there’s already a need for a writer like you.