Technical author : Career development

Junior technical authors become senior technical authors and can then become project leaders or editors. They may become managers, sometimes in allied areas such as information management, project management, training, quality assurance and customer service.

Some technical authors may find that they have to move between organisations to achieve real career progression, especially as the numbers employed in any one organisation tend to be low. Mobility may be a key issue in achieving promotion.

Technical authors can turn freelance, or do consulting. Others become business analysts or move into other technology related fields.

Technical writing is seen by some as a transitional job, something you do as you are working your way into another role, such as business analyst, usability specialist, information architect, or project manager. Opportunities also exist in print or in online technical/scientific journalism.

Technical authors may move into related areas, such as medical writing, where some combine both technical and medical assignments, especially if they are freelance or part of a consultancy.

Consultancy and freelance work is very popular, as the work is often project-based, and these options may lead to a higher salary and freedom to choose assignments.

Technical authoring can be adversely affected during economic downturns, when subject matter experts may be asked to write the manuals or existing technical authors are asked to do more work.