Vexed up with Software Developer life

[Ram Korutla]

Hi

I need some suggestions. I have been into software since 3 years. I dont know how is it with others, but I have done my engineering in Computer Sciences only because it was a free seat then and actually I had no special interest or liking in the field. In fact, during my schooling I was infact afraid of Computers and had purposefully chosen alternatives to Computers. So I dont think I had any latent interest in the subject since my childhood.

Now, the basic issue is, in this industry, there is no choice but to learn new things or update your self if we want to continue as a developer. But I have no interest in going on learning new things and I am not comfortable either.

I am good at writing and communications skills. So I would like to explore the option of turning into a Technical Writer.

I donot really know the pros and cons of the Technical Writers job..And since we have this site which hosts a lot of individuals in the software field, I would like to know the expectations on a Technical Writers and being a developer for 3 years, what it takes to become a technical writer...Will I be considered as a fresher or otherwise. How much package can I expect.

Most importantly how well are people expected to upgrade themselves on technologies in the Technical Writers field.

Please let me know if there is some thing I should know in this regards

Thanks All.

[Henry Wong]

My sample is small -- so take with grain of salt.

I believe that you will still be expected to keep up with technology -- but nothing more than just terminology and an overall understand of what it does (unless you are writing for developers).

If you are writing manuals, you should have a technical resource available to walk you through the use cases -- and whom you can bother to get any explanations -- there is probably no need to get into the API (unless, again, you are writing for developers). You probably will have go through the application, if only to get screenshots.

If you are writing marketing collateral, your access to technical resources are probably less, but you can also get away with knowing little about what you are writing about.


Now... having said that. Many of the writers that I know (for manuals and marketing collateral) do keep up with technology. They do love (and constantly learn about) the stuff they write about. And they do enjoy what they are writing about.

Isn't research part of the writing process? And aren't you suppose to enjoy it? If you want to get into writing because the research into technology may be less, and hence, more tolerable, you will, IMO, still grow to hate it. If you truely enjoy writing, and want to take a jump to writing, maybe it would be good to take a bigger jump, and go into writing about something that you may be interested in.

Henry

[Joe San]

Sridhar Babu wrote:Hi

I need some suggestions. I have been into software since 3 years. I dont know how is it with others, but I have done my engineering in Computer Sciences only because it was a free seat then and actually I had no special interest or liking in the field. In fact, during my schooling I was infact afraid of Computers and had purposefully chosen alternatives to Computers. So I dont think I had any latent interest in the subject since my childhood.

Now, the basic issue is, in this industry, there is no choice but to learn new things or update your self if we want to continue as a developer. But I have no interest in going on learning new things and I am not comfortable either.

I am good at writing and communications skills. So I would like to explore the option of turning into a Technical Writer.

I donot really know the pros and cons of the Technical Writers job..And since we have this site which hosts a lot of individuals in the software field, I would like to know the expectations on a Technical Writers and being a developer for 3 years, what it takes to become a technical writer...Will I be considered as a fresher or otherwise. How much package can I expect.

Most importantly how well are people expected to upgrade themselves on technologies in the Technical Writers field.

Please let me know if there is some thing I should know in this regards

Thanks All.

As far as technical writing goes, you would hardly need to upgrade any new skills apart from the skill of improving your writing.

[Ram Korutla]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the info...

I would like to explore further.

Could anyone also cite the pros and cons of the Technical Writing aspect in the present economic turmoil phase and in general. Would be even more helpful if you could suggest things keeping Indian IT companies in the perspective.

Also like I said, being an software developer for 3 years now, should I expect that I need to go back as a fresher to the technical writing job

Thanks again!

[Karan Johar]

In development area there are other jobs - like QA Tester, Functional Analyst, Configuration Management and so on.

If you dont want to write code, consider QA, Testing etc.
Technical Writing can quickly get very boring if it really does not interest you.
And it is far easier to shift to something like QA, Functional Analysis; as your previous experience as developer will come in very handy here too.

[sriram sankar]

If you are good at communication, then you can opt for a "Business Analyst" . It also gives you lot of domain knowledge which is very valuable in any industry...

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

Sridhar Babu wrote: should I expect that I need to go back as a fresher to the technical writing job

You're not a fresher. You are a person with 3 years in something. Depending on what you are writing, it may or may not be relevant. But you still learned how to interact with people and work in an office environment. And I'd hope you did some writing.

In general, you should expect to get paid more than someone right our of school and less than a person with three years experience as a tech writer.

[Ram Korutla]

sriram sankar wrote:If you are good at communication, then you can opt for a "Business Analyst" . It also gives you lot of domain knowledge which is very valuable in any industry...

Hey, thanks for letting me know that possibility

But, to become a BA, I suppose I have to do an MBA or get some degree on business right. This means it takes not less than 2 years to materialize even assuming I get to start on MBA right away.

With the current set of experience in software and a qualification of B.Tech in Computers do I stand any chance of recruitment as atleast a Jr BA Indian IT companies these days?

[Ulf Dittmer]

What is the prime motivation for you to work - do you want to do something you like, or do you want to do something will provide a good income? Those objectives may be compatible (but then, they may not be), but it sounds a bit as if you don't care too much what you'd be doing. Lest you once again pick something that you won't enjoy, I suggest to do some soul searching first to figure that out.

If technical writing really interests you, you might start by doing some of that, publishing it (maybe in a blog, and hype it on Digg and elsewhere), and getting some feedback on it.

[Ram Korutla]

Sridhar Babu wrote:

Hey, thanks for letting me know that possibility

But, to become a BA, I suppose I have to do an MBA or get some degree on business right. This means it takes not less than 2 years to materialize even assuming I get to start on MBA right away.

With the current set of experience in software and a qualification of B.Tech in Computers do I stand any chance of recruitment as atleast a Jr BA Indian IT companies these days?

Guys,

Apologies for pushing through, but do you think I would be given any chance as a business analyst if not a senior, atleast a beginner role, given that I have been a developer for the 3 years. I work for a company that purely caters to BFSI segment. So what do you guys think... I am certainly not interested to go for the struts, hibernate sort of technical stuff - ofcourse should there be no alternative, I have to live with it..otherwise, I want to make a fresh beginning ..Any idea would it work out.

Thanks for any inputs

[Jeanne Boyarsky]

Sridhar Babu wrote: I would be given any chance as a business analyst if not a senior, atleast a beginner role, given that I have been a developer for the 3 years.

Nobody can answer this for you. How much knowledge do you have about the business domain you work on now?