Career Paths for Tired Tech Writers

Working as a technical communicator in Silicon Valley takes its toll. And technical communication, although more respected than it was a decade ago, isn't yet on most people's top-ten list of most-prestigious or best-compensated professions. Many seasoned practitioners are burnt out or recognize that they really don't aspire to be the "geek who can write" that so many job descriptions demand. They need a way out of the business that pays enough to keep body and soul together.

Synergistech saw many great Technical Writers exit the business, and even leave the Bay Area altogether, during the Depression that hit our niche of high-tech in the earliest years of this millenium. We've kept track of quite a few of them, and offer this list of their 'next careers' as a resource to those seeking courage — or a kindred soul with whom to confer — before making their own move.

Feel free to request the name(s) and contact information of the former technical communicator(s) in question.

• Archeology
• Architecture and interior design
• B & B operator
• Beekeeping
• Career counseling
• Clinical Trial Coordinator
• Corporate communications
• Disaster preparedness services
• Film reviewing
• Finance and administration
• Furniture design and building
• Furniture repair
• Independent filmmaking
• Investing
• Jewelry making and marketing
• Marketing
• Mediating
• Movie scriptwriting
• Nursing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Photographer
• Physician
• Product Marketing
• Project management
• Quality assurance
• Radio
• Recruiting
• Real estate brokerage
• Resume-writing services
• Salary negotiation services
• Search engine optimization
• Teaching
• Technical recruiting
• Technical training
• TV
• VideoBlogging

We'd also welcome hearing about other successful transitions out of technical communications. You're a resourceful, multi-talented bunch and it's a privilege to know you and, possibly, continue to help you evolve professionally.

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