How do I Become a Technical Editor?

In order to become a technical editor, you will need to at least have a bachelor's degree in technical writing or journalism. Some positions may also require you to have a degree or work experience in a scientific discipline, engineering, or math. The types of additional requirements will vary between employers. Keep in mind, however, that not all technical editing jobs require candidates to have additional skill sets in other disciplines.

If you want to become a technical editor, you will probably be able to find jobs that require a variety of different editing backgrounds. Some jobs may require you to be capable of creating online content, while others will want you to have magazine or newspaper experience. If you have on-the-job or educational training in any of these content areas, you should be able to feel confident about applying for most jobs that require editing expertise. In addition, if you have worked as an intern or volunteer doing editing work, this may help you to find a job as well.

To become a technical editor, you will more than likely need to have worked for a minimum of three years in an editorial role. Some jobs, particularly entry-level positions, could only require one or two years of experience, in addition to a sufficient amount of education. For the most part, higher paying jobs will likely require a graduate level degree such as a master's or a Ph.D.

Anyone who wants to become a technical editor should be proficient with computer operating systems and a variety of software programs. In most positions, the majority of your work will typically need to be completed on a computer. For this reason, it is very important that potential candidates are at ease working on a computer for extended periods of time. You should also be comfortable correcting other people's work, and making suggestions when you believe that content could be presented in a more efficient or effective manner.

Many technical editing positions also require candidates to have exceptional interpersonal skills. Even though many people view editing as a solitary type of job, the reality is that most of these positions require a significant amount of interaction with others. Technical editors, as a general rule, need to be able to communicate effectively with writers, and they may also be required to interact with engineers, software developers, or production personnel.