The Advantage of UX Education for Technical Writers

Career paths often take unexpected turns, and for many, the journey into technical writing isn’t a straightforward one. Some discover the role through a love of writing, others by exploring internships or following their curiosity. In one such case, a writer with an early passion for storytelling found their calling in technical communication during college. An internship at a clinical trial software company helped confirm that this field was a great fit—combining logic, creativity, and a love for technology. That single experience solidified their career direction.

Key Takeaways from Early Career Exploration:

• Internships and hands-on experiences can help validate or rule out a career path.

• Exploring a range of writing styles in school can reveal unexpected affinities.

• No knowledge is ever wasted; everything contributes to career clarity.

The Impact of UX Education on Technical Writing

Understanding user experience (UX) principles gives technical writers a significant advantage. It deepens their ability to create documentation that’s clear, intuitive, and centered around the actual needs of users. UX knowledge shifts the writer’s focus from simply following best practices to understanding why those practices exist and how they affect the user’s journey.

For one writer, the decision to pursue a Master's degree in Human Factors and Information Design opened up a broader perspective. Although they didn’t end up transitioning into UX design full-time, the experience reframed their approach to technical writing. It helped them see the value in usability, audience context, and writing that aligns with how people actually think and behave—not just how we hope they will.

How UX Principles Benefit Technical Writers:

• Promotes user-centered documentation.

• Enhances clarity, usability, and findability of content.

• Encourages intentional structure and flow based on actual user behavior.

• Equips writers to challenge ineffective legacy practices and outdated standards.

UX and psychology are already widely used in fields like marketing and design. Technical writers who adopt these principles are better positioned to produce documentation that truly serves its audience.

Starting Points for UX in Writing:

• Writing for the Web by the Nielsen Norman Group

• Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design

Lessons from Moving Into—and Out of—Management

Career growth often includes transitions between roles. In this case, the writer moved from an individual contributor role into management at a new company. Despite feeling some uncertainty, they pursued the opportunity by preparing thoroughly—taking relevant courses, seeking advice from mentors, and learning about the expectations of the role.

Their leadership style was shaped by direct experience with the team, as well as a commitment to continuous feedback and development. However, after three years in management, they reassessed their satisfaction with the role. While mentoring others remained fulfilling, administrative responsibilities like HR and performance management detracted from what they enjoyed most—writing. So, they returned to a principal writing role that aligned more closely with their core strengths and values.

Management Insights:

• Career experimentation is valuable—but so is knowing when to step away.

• Seek mentorship, feedback, and honest reflection before and during any transition.

• Don’t be afraid to return to a role that brings more satisfaction, even if it’s less senior.

Finding and Building Mentorship Relationships

Mentorship played a major role throughout this writer’s career journey. They consistently sought guidance from managers, peers, and experts in adjacent fields. Rather than waiting for formal mentorship programs, they proactively reached out and asked questions.

A good mentorship relationship doesn’t need to last forever. Sometimes, a short-term exchange of knowledge or advice is enough to help move someone forward.

Tips for Building Mentorship:

• Reach out with a specific ask—people are often happy to help.

• Your current manager is often a good first step toward finding connections.

• Know when to let go—mentorship doesn’t always need to be long-term.

Navigating Career Challenges in Technical Writing

The journey through internships, acquisitions, management roles, and back to individual contribution came with its fair share of challenges. From feeling stagnant in a role to navigating growth in a large organization or dealing with a lack of technical background, they found that proactive learning, relationship-building, and openness to change were essential.

Common Challenges and Solutions:

• Feeling stuck? Keep interviewing, network internally, and stay open to change.

• Large company? Map out growth paths and build cross-functional relationships.

• No technical background? Embrace self-directed learning to become fluent enough to collaborate effectively with engineering teams.

• Facing change? Accept that change is inevitable, and often, it opens new doors.

A Long-Term Passion for Writing

Despite moving in and out of management and exploring UX, the writer always came back to one core truth: they love writing. This passion has been the throughline of their career, guiding each pivot and helping them rediscover what brings the most meaning to their work.

Technical writing is a multifaceted field. Whether you're just getting started or considering a shift, your path doesn't have to follow a linear route. Internships, UX knowledge, mentorship, and even management experience can all contribute to a richer, more resilient writing career. What matters most is staying curious, being willing to learn, and knowing when to double down—or change direction.