If you are looking for a career change or want to expand your writing portfolio to make yourself more marketable, finding an online technical writing course can help you learn a useful new skill. In comparison to other types of writing like poetry and fiction, technical writing has always been a genre where writers could find steady work.
Finding Technical Writing Courses
There are various types of courses that you can take if you want to learn about technical writing. Some are available through technical institutions, and some are offered through community colleges and universities so you can possibly get college credit if you successfully complete the course.Techwriter Certification - Techwriter Certification offers a certificate in technical writing that you can earn in 15 short weeks. Four different certificates in technical writing are available: the basic certificate, certificate in writing for current technical writers, mastery level certificate, and advanced certificate in technical writing. The benefits of certification include a credential from a respected university, proof of professional achievement, higher pay, and career advancement.
- Gatlin Education Services - Providing online education since 1994, Gatlin Education Services offers a nationally recognized online distance-learning course in technical writing. The following skills are covered: research methods, style, drafting, audience considerations, revision strategies, and more. The program is offered in conjunction with several major colleges and other accredited education providers.
- Online Learning - Online Learning is a website that also offers a 12 week professional technical writing course. In addition to learning how to write technical documents, this program also teaches you how to write using XML. Other skills covered include: writing and revising technical manuals and reports, writing a resume, and writing in teams.
- Expert Rating - Expert Rating is one of the world's only ISO 9001:2000 certified companies, meaning that their training programs have conformed to international standards. They offer a six-week technical writing course for less than $100 that covers the essentials of writing technical documentation.
Know Your Goals
Before you decide to sign up for an online technical writing course, make sure you have an idea of where you want to go with the certificate once you receive it. Therefore you can find a program that tailors its content to the aspect of the technical writing field that you find interesting and see yourself working in.
