As a technical writing intern, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in a field that is in high demand. Technical writers are responsible for creating documentation that explains complex technical information to a non-technical audience. This can include writing user manuals, help files, training materials, and marketing collateral.

What You Will Do as a Technical Writing Intern
As a technical writing intern, you can expect to perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Writing user manuals, help files, training materials, and marketing collateral
- Editing and proofreading technical documents
- Creating and maintaining wikis and other knowledge bases
- Conducting user interviews and focus groups
- Developing and delivering presentations
- Assisting with project management
Why Technical Writing Matters
Technical writing is essential for any organization that wants to communicate complex information to its customers, employees, and partners. Well-written technical documentation can help users:
- Understand how to use products and services
- Troubleshoot problems
- Learn new skills
- Make informed decisions
Benefits of a Technical Writing Internship
Completing a technical writing internship can provide you with a number of benefits, including:
- Gaining valuable experience in a high-demand field
- Developing strong writing, editing, and communication skills
- Learning about the latest technical writing tools and technologies
- Making connections with professionals in the field
- Getting your foot in the door to a full-time technical writing position
How to Get a Technical Writing Internship
There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting a technical writing internship, including:
- Get good grades in your technical writing courses
- Build a strong portfolio of writing samples
- Network with professionals in the field
- Attend industry events
- Apply for internships early
Tips for Technical Writing Interns
Here are a few tips for technical writing interns:
- Be prepared to learn new things
- Ask questions when you don’t understand something
- Pay attention to detail
- Be organized and efficient
- Meet deadlines
- Get feedback from your supervisor and colleagues
The Future of Technical Writing
The future of technical writing is bright. As technology continues to advance, the need for technical writers will only increase. Technical writers will play a key role in helping organizations communicate complex information to their target audiences.
- Technical writing
- Technical communication
- User documentation
- Help files
- Training materials
- Marketing collateral
- Editing
- Proofreading
- Content development
- Knowledge management
- User experience
- Information design
| Skill | Importance |
|---|---|
| Writing | 10 |
| Editing | 9 |
| Communication | 8 |
| Research | 7 |
| Organization | 6 |
| Time management | 5 |
| Attention to detail | 4 |
| Technical knowledge | 3 |
| Project management | 2 |
| Collaboration | 1 |
| Experience | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-level | $60,000 |
| Mid-level | $75,000 |
| Senior-level | $90,000 |
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Word | Word processor |
| Adobe FrameMaker | Technical documentation authoring tool |
| MadCap Flare | Technical documentation authoring tool |
| DITA | XML-based technical documentation standard |
| Markdown | Lightweight markup language |
| Asciidoc | Lightweight markup language |
| Sphinx | Documentation generator |
| Read the Docs | Documentation hosting platform |
| GitHub | Code hosting platform |
| Version control | Software for managing changes to code and documentation |
| Blog | Description |
|---|---|
| STC Technical Communication Blog | Blog of the Society for Technical Communication |
| UX Writing Hub | Blog about UX writing |
| The Content Wrangler | Blog about content strategy and development |
| Technical Writing for Dummies | Blog about technical writing for beginners |
| The Tech Writer’s Handbook | Blog about technical writing tools and techniques |
| The Write Stuff | Blog about writing and editing |
| The Documentalist | Blog about technical writing and documentation |
| The Technical Writer’s Corner | Blog about technical writing and careers |
| The Write Life | Blog about writing and the writing life |
| ProBlogger | Blog about blogging |
