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1
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- JPG & Associates, Inc.
Jerry Grohovsky (presenter)
jpgassoc.com
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2
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- About JPG & Associates, Inc.
- How Jerry Grohovsky
(JPG co-founder) got started in technical communications
- Defining a technical communicator (or writer); then and now
- Opportunities in technical communications
- Education and experience that is helpful
- How to start “opening doors”
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3
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- Full-service technical documentation firm providing:
- On-Site staffing
- Off-Site consulting
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4
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- Technical writers and editors
- Instructional designers
- Graphic designers
- On-line help developers
- Marketing writers and coordinators
- Technical illustrators
- Desktop publishers
- Project managers
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5
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- Technical manuals (hardware/software)
- Training documentation (classroom/web-based)
- On-line help systems
- Data sheets
- Documentation for manufacturing
- Quality assurance and compliances
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6
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- 3M
- Medtronic, Inc.
- Boston Scientific
- Guidant
- Cummins Power Generation
- Data Recognition Corporation
- Trane, Inc.
- Digital Angel
- And more…
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7
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- University of Minnesota- 1974
BA in Journalism
- News editorial openings scarce
- Technical writing was recommended as a career to explore
- 1974- Began working as technical writer trainee for local manufacturer
- Staff writer for next 19 years at several large and small companies
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8
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- Worked from home evenings in mid to late 1980s as freelance technical
writer/illustrator while staff writer days.
- Worked at 3M as contractor for four years.
- Left 3M in 1993 to start JPG with spouse (3M was our first and only
client).
- Today: Supplying 30-45 specialists to
15-20 clients monthly.
- 3M is still an active client.
- JPG as served more than 100 companies.
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9
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- 30 years ago:
- Technical writer (as the term is commonly used) wrote user manuals
and/or specifications for “hardware” products.
- Common types were: Operator’s manuals, installation manuals,
troubleshooting manuals, parts manuals, etc.
- Opportunities were more limited: main frame computers, auto industry,
agriculture, aviation, defense.
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10
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- In the mid-1980s, technology exploded:
- Introduction of microprocessors
created a flood of new products
- New technology products = New documentation needs
- “Technical writer” evolves
as a subset of a newer term:
“technical communicator”
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11
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- Software technical writer
- On-line help developer
- Web content developer
- E-learning (training) developer
- Single-sourcing specialist
- Web interface designer
- Global translation coordinator
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12
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- Medical Devices
- Enterprise software (IT)
- Quality assurance departments
- Manufacturing processes
- Internal policies and procedures
- Compliances (ISO, Sarbanes Oxley, European Standards)
- Help Desks
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13
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- User manuals in a variety of forms, including on CD-ROM and on the web
- On-line help systems (local computer and web-based)
- Web-based training (E-learning)
- Documentation translated from English to other languages
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14
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- Journalism
- Marketing
- Engineering
- Software development
- Teaching
- Customer service
- Field service
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15
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- English, journalism, writing majors
- Technical communications majors
- Engineering and computer science majors
- Two-year technical degrees or certificates (supplemented by writing
courses)
- Any writing courses; software courses/certifications
- Technical communication (technical writing) courses
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16
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- Knowledge of software tools have become a very important skill for
today’s technical communicators:
- MS Office
- Adobe FrameMaker
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe RoboHelp
- Adobe PhotoShop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Microsoft Visio
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17
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- Contract (typically, through
an agency, at the client site)
- Contract-to-hire
- Full time direct
- Consulting (by the project, direct with the client)
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18
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- Employee:
- Annual Salary:
- U.S. Annual Mean (2006 STC): $62,860
- Midwest Region Mean (2006 STC):
$59,000
- Twin Cities Mean (2006 STC): $63,000
- Consultant:
- Annual & Hourly:
- U.S. Annual Mean (2003 STC): $71,850/yr*
- U.S Hourly Mean (2003 STC): $51.00/hr
- Twin Cities Average (2006-2007 JPG):
$45/hr
*Based on 35 hours or less per week; please note date also.
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19
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- Strong (Money magazine in 2006 rated technical writing as one of the top
jobs in U.S.) See next slide.
- Now and into next decade: The demand for technical communicators should
get even stronger as technologies and industries continue to blossom.
- All professions (including technical communications) will be facing
shortages in the next decade.
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20
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21
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- If in last year of college: Try
to get an internship that involves any type of writing (technical,
marketing, training)
- If you are currently in any “cross-over professions”, you may be able to
get into technical writing easier if you:
- Apply for a contract or consulting position.
- Re-organize your resume so as to focus on “strengths” versus
“chronology”.
- Take course in technical writing, or in specific tools areas (i.e.,
FrameMaker, InDesign, etc.).
- Networking: Go to meetings of organizations that promote technical
communication.
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22
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- Society for Technical Communications (STC)
- American Medical Writers Association (AMWA)
- Communications Jobs, Training, Seminars, Expositions, etc.
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23
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- Opportunities will continue to expand
- Tools and methods will continue change
- Compensation will remain strong
- Part-time, flexible, and telecommuting more common
- Good profession, even after retirement
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Notes
