Software skills can be hard to acquire, but you can learn the tools if you are willing to invest the time and money. Walter Hanig of NetManage, Inc. has some software suggestions for students.

There are four types of programs that new technical writers need to know:

A "working knowledge" of specific software tools is the minimum requirement for most jobs. Realistically, you need to be an expert user of at least one major product and familiar with some of the others.

If you are eligible, you should buy academic software. If you can't, many companies offer demos so you can at least aquire a "working knowledge" of a product. Whatever you do, make sure to compile your work in a portfolio. It is much more impressive to show, rather than tell, a prospective employer that you are competent in a specific application.

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© 1999, Paul Dunham