To study technical communication means becoming an expert in imparting the knowledge of technology: linguistically, visually and using multimedia. In Germany, a plethora of study programs are offered in the field of technical communication under various designations. There are different emphases, but all of them provide interdisciplinary and intercultural training in the areas of language and communication, organization and visualization, media and technology. In the study programs, the basics of management, information technology, natural sciences and technology are also taught.

Professional diversity is one of the chief reasons students go into the field of technical communication.

Other important reasons for the career choice are:

• Interest in communication and languages
• Interest in technology
• Interest in communication management
• Handling media and technologies
• Interest in designing and visualizing
• Variety of study content
• Internationality
• Good professional prospects

89% of students state that their expectations for the study program were fully satisfied.

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, there is a wide range of study programs in the field of technical communication:

1. The majority are undergraduate study programs resulting in the "Bachelor of Arts", "Bachelor of Science" or "Bachelor of Engineering" degree.
2. Some colleges and universities offer Master's programs.
3. For employed persons, there are occasionally offerings of job-related study programs resulting in the "Professional Master of Science" degree.

Besides the specialist study programs mentioned, there is a variety of specialization-related study programs that, with the appropriate specialization, likewise prepare students for a career in technical communication.

This includes in particular studies in the following fields:

• Multi-lingual communication
• Specialist communication
• Translation and localization
• Terminology and terminology management
• Language technology
• Information management

There are various reasons why people change professions and work as lateral entrants in a new field of activity. Technical communication is the second career for many of them. They have in common study or professional education in another specialized field. Many used to be active as engineers, translators, language or humanities scholars.

Technical communication offers very good options for a new professional path, as the job market needs many workers, which the number of graduates cannot cover.

Lateral entrants are sought from the following fields in particular:

• Engineering sciences
• Technical occupations
• Translation
• Linguistics
• Media sciences

Graduates in the fields of software development, information technology, psychology, education, design, or the humanities can also gain a professional foothold in technical communication.

Employees without an initial professional education in a relevant specialized technical field have good job prospects, especially in less technology-focused sectors such as medical technology, consumer goods, software development, automobile industry or with service providers.

There are different ways of achieving lateral entry in technical communication, e.g.:

1. Company-internal change to technical documentation
2. Direct application for a position in the field of technical communication
3. Developing a proprietary range of services in the field of technical communication

How to achieve lateral entry, and which skills for a career in technical communication you may already have, can be comprehensively determined in a tekom qualification consultation.

The key factor for success as a lateral entrant is a specific qualification as a technical writer. For human resources and specialist supervisors, verified professionalism is an important criterium for selecting applicants.

With a targeted training program, lateral entrants in technical communication can obtain training for and certification as a technical writer. Formally, competence and professional qualification are normally verified with the tekom certificate as "Technical Communicator".

For lateral entrants switching to technical communication from another professional background, participating in a comprehensive training program specifically targeting qualification is recommended. Options for becoming a professional technical writer consist of:

For those without previous knowledge in technical communication:

Several months of full-time direct retraining as a technical writer
This is recommended for all career changers who have not yet had contact with technical communication. Training lasts approximately half a year and, in addition to the teaching phases, normally includes an internship. If there are certain individual requirements, training is funded with an education voucher from the Employment Agency. Most full-time training programs result in formal certification by tekom as "Technical Communicator (tekom)".

For technical writers who have not studied technical communication, applicants without training, or those who do not have the option to pursue full-time training:

Job-related part-time training programs
These are suitable primarily for lateral entrants who are already active in technical communication who have developed their competences up to the present in "training on the job". With a job-related training program, they can expand their practical and theoretical knowledge and can obtain formal verification of their qualification with the tekom certificate. Those directly applying for a position in the field of technical communication without having concluded a training program can negotiate with their future employer about the possibility of the company financing a job-related training program for qualification in the first few months. This can be done in line with the stipulations in the employment contract, e.g. with regard to a minimum length of stay at the company. This model is similar to traineeship – with advantages for both sides: employees receive funded training, and the employer ensures that future employees have professional knowledge in their occupation. In addition, job-related training is a good option for those still active in another profession, e.g. in translation or marketing, who prospectively would like orientation in another subject, but who do not have the option of or framework conditions necessary for full-time training.

For ambitious lateral entrants:

Job-related study in technical communication
This way, ambitious lateral entrants can obtain a Master's degree in technical communication. In certain cases, initial study is not only not required, but relevant professional experience is even acknowledged.

For those who have left school, and university graduates:

The tekom internship
The tekom internship is an effective start, especially for those who have left school and university graduates in other specialized areas, e.g. engineering science, machine engineering, linguistics, and philology.

There are training opportunities with various private training providers.

tekom-accredited training programs can conclude with the tekom certification examination, and participants will obtain the international "Technical Communicator (tekom)" certificate. With the tekom certificate, lateral entrants receive formal verification of their high qualification in technical communication. The tekom certificate is known to companies, recognized by management employees and frequently a prerequisite in job advertisements. In the job market, an applicant’s qualifications including a university education and tekom certificate for the field of technical communication are evaluated very highly.

The tekom internship is designed particularly for graduates of technical, natural, social or humanities-related study programs, as well as for those who have left school. The structure and the contractual design are in line with an internship in journalism, offering a practical education in technical communication.

Interns are integrated into the workday as trainee technical writers and experience guided learning-by-doing. Company-based training is supplemented by a systematic external training program.

The internship lasts 24 months, is compensated with a fixed salary, and concludes with certification as a "Technical Communicator (tekom)". tekom has commissioned tecteam Bildungsinstitut with the placement of interns at companies and the external training.