Becoming a Technical Author

[Debster]

Does anyone have any advice as to how I can become a Technical Author. I am currently a Web Developer but also have a degree in English Lit. I feel I would be more suited to technical authoring as I already have some experience of documenting processes but I have no idea how to go about getting a junior position. Do you have to get specific training? Any suggestions/advice greatly appreciated?

Thanks

Hi Debster
Have you thought of going back to your University Careers Service? Most if not all will see (or talk to/email) their graduates, and send you any material they have. I work in one, and we would charge a small fee (£25) for anyone who has a job but this gets you an individual appointment and lots of aftercare! You could use the information room here for free. I am sure it is the same for other places. There is also a Mutual Aid scheme which means that you could also go to the University nearest to where you live. Good luck with the change!

Debster, did you see on one of the other threads that a couple of us are looking at this option? there is a site called armadaonline.com which recruits incredibly experienced authors, but, more interestingly perhaps, acts as an agency for vacancies in this field.
I've also seen vacancies advertised with the big agencies, eg compfutures, huxley associates etc. You can find them via the computing weekly website of course. Why not ring one of them and ask them whether they could place you with the experience and qualifications you've got? There is such a skills shortage in the industry that they probably would say No Problem. Re training, you must have had to write reports, specs etc in your current job, so you can't be entirely without experience. Good luck and do let us know what you find out!

Hi there SML. The site is armadaonline.co.uk, not .com

Best of luck to all of you having a go at this career option

Thanks for the tips Sml and Zaria. I had thought of contacting the agencies direct as they will obviously know whether it's worth me pursuing this. I receive the JobServe email every morning and there always about 5 Technical Author positions. I will take a look at the web site and see if I can contact anyone there.

My partner is TA not the most exciting of jobs it seems to me (sorry). Mainly two types software and Hardware. Hadware authoring needs a technical background usually some kind of engineering. S/W authoring is much more open. Training is usually in house I'm not aware of any courses at colleges. Just apply for jobs you see in the papers and take it from there.

Shows how much I listen, there is a post grad course, that is run somewhere. There is also a web site whos name I can not remember the institute od technical communicators or something like that.
I was trying to be helpful but my brain has turned to mush in the heat.