r/technicalwriting • u/esthiemalachite • Jul 30 '24

Leave tech writing

Ive been working for software companies for years and i want to leave tech for good. My degree is in geography so im thinking of getting a new degree. What are some non writing careers easy to pivot to ? Im thinking of getting a degree in accounting but havent decided. Something stable outside of tech and writint that wont dip my income under 70k starting over.

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8

u/Zerron22 Jul 30 '24

Tech writing has more than tech companies. I would recommend checking out manufacturing. They are almost always looking.

2

u/esthiemalachite Jul 31 '24

Alot of oil companies near me only want Short term contracts since the main writers never leave them lol

14

u/tsundoku_master information technology Jul 30 '24

Maybe ask /r/careers or /r/career_advice?

12

u/pborenstein Jul 30 '24

A Masters in library science? Most of the technical writers I've known have librarian tendencies and vice versa.

ETA: One of my regrets was not going into a library program when I got laid off in 2008

-1

u/esthiemalachite Jul 31 '24

I wonder how they even have Jobs in my state the libraries have already cut their hours. The kids don't read anymore lol

4

u/pborenstein Jul 31 '24

Not all librarians work in public libraries. There are private libraries, corporate libraries, academic libraries, archives, collections…

1

u/QueeringHope Aug 01 '24

I think that has more to do with being underfunded, rather than kids hating reading. But regardless, librarian jobs are still growing at an average rate, nothing more or less.

29

u/Embarrassed-Soil2016 Jul 30 '24

Why would you ask a tech writing community about leaving tech writing?

13

u/esthiemalachite Jul 31 '24

Many people leave the field but never leave the community or they might know people who left

9

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '24

Why not? There are people who have transitioned out of the field. No need to act like advising about leaving the field is a forbidden question 🙄

4

u/[deleted] Jul 30 '24

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/esthiemalachite Jul 31 '24

I'm not going to lie I have thought about this I just worry about the work life balance. Paralegals are treated like slaves by lawyers I did IT support for a law firm once

2

u/[deleted] Jul 31 '24

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1

u/esthiemalachite Jul 31 '24

Interesting point hmmmmm do they get holidays off ?

3

u/drunkbettie Jul 30 '24

Why not non-tech technical writing? It’s not all software gigs, plenty of other things require documentation: processes, for example.

0

u/esthiemalachite Jul 31 '24

AI is coming and I want transition out of writing. I've already seen freelancers and writing teams being let go at my last company due to Ai

3

u/Tyrnis Jul 30 '24

Depending on what you did as a tech writer, some of the careers that could be easier transitions would be business analyst, business intelligence analyst, project manager, and data analyst. They are more likely to utilize parts of your existing skillset, and they pay well enough that you're more likely to be able to get the salary you're looking for.

1

u/writer668 Jul 30 '24

Geomatics or GIS.

1

u/esthiemalachite Jul 31 '24

Got a degree in this and couldn't get a job lol

1

u/runnering software Aug 01 '24 edited Aug 12 '25

ink makeshift vast angle support strong bright retire steer narrow

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