As a Technical Writing major, my most common question is, "what is a technical writer?" This is a great question, considering I do not know the exact answer to it. My professors don't either, so that's okay.

Technical writing is a broad field, which can allow people with the degree to do just about anything, as long as it has to do with writing. In fact, when I was changing my major, the advisor said, "Tech writers can do anything. That's the best part of the job." I was intrigued, to say the least. Could technical writers really go into any field, doing whatever they want?

Well, no. A technical writer couldn't, like, show up to work and start messing with the wiring or setting up a bouncy castle, but the options are pretty widespread.

I plan on using my degree to go into book publishing, but many of my peers have completely different paths. I know individuals who plan on going to law school, others who want to work for nonprofits, and people who already have jobs lined up with the pharmaceutical industry.

We go everywhere, do everything, and have knowledge of so many subjects, it's hard not to feel overwhelmed at times.

But, what do technical writers do?

In short, we create documents for companies. Sometimes we work freelance, other times we are hired on directly. Companies rely on us to put out the information they are releasing in a way that makes sense to their audience. For example, your car manual? Created by a technical writer.

The instruction booklet you got with your blender? Created by a technical writer. The spreadsheet or form you had to fill out at the doctor's office, apartment complex, mechanic, dentist, pet store, etc? Created by a technical writer.

Many technical writers minor in the field they wish to go in. For example, a classmate of mine wants to work in the medical field as someone who created informational pamphlets for patients.

She is majoring in biology and minoring in professional writing, in order to become familiar with the jargon and atmosphere of working so closely with medical personnel.

I want to go into book publishing, so I am minoring in English. Surprisingly, none of my English classes and writing classes overlap. I thought the fields were close enough together that some courses would intersect, but they do not. In fact, a lot of technical writing classes focus on document design.

Most of my classes during the semester involve a semester-long project, where I create documents for a client of my choice. This has been an incredible experience because I did not know that I enjoyed document design until I started taking these classes.

Written and verbal communication skills are one of the top 5 things that an employer looks for when hiring someone. As a technical writer, you are able to have both.

Working as a technical writer means meeting one-on-one with clients, as well as learning the skills you need to create documents that are accessible and easily understood.

As a technical writer, you can work with any company who produces any sort of document, whether it's online or a physical paper (so pretty much any company). Do you like museums?

They need a technical writer to make their brochures! Do you like art? Many art museums need writers to create content on their blogs and websites. Do you like animals? Adoption agencies need writers to create their forms and descriptions for their pets! You might think, "well, anyone can come up with a form…" but I promise, it isn't true.

We need technical writers so people can understand the products that are being released and the jargon being used by today's professionals. With the political, social, and world climate being what it is today, it is even more important now than ever to ensure that we are communicating well and thoroughly.

Technical writers offer an unbiased opinion and relevant information in the face of a world that is trying to tell us what is and isn't true.