Tech writers, are you trying to catapult your career to the next level? Stand out from the crowd by graduating from a programming bootcamp! Yes, you read that right. While a coding bootcamp primarily focuses on teaching coding, it also provides priceless knowledge and skills that can benefit aspiring and even seasoned technical writers.

How come I know this?

In November 2022, while perfecting my tech writing abilities, I started the edX and Skills for Life’s front-end web development BootCamp. In April 2023 I received the certificate that formalized my successful program completion. In 16 next-to-impossible weeks, I gained all the hard and soft skills needed to pursue a career in front-end web development. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, but the good news is that all that hard work paid off. Let me explain.

What do you learn?

In my case, here are a few key learnings:

• HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, React.js, jQuery, ES6, and Node
• Application programming interfaces (APIs)
• User experience (UX) design
• Building and deploying modern web applications.
• Concepts of web development, including Git and Github.

Now here’s how all these new skills you could learn during a coding/front-end development bootcamp can take your technical writing career further that you can imagine, based on my experience:

1. Technical understanding

A coding bootcamp gives you a solid foundation in programming languages, software development concepts, and infrastructure. This is crucial for getting to the bottom of complex technical concepts and effectively communicating them to audiences (especially software engineers) as a technical writer.

Now as a tech writer specialized in documenting APIs, I don’t know where I would be without those late bootcamp nights of parsing JSON files. I use my CSS knowledge to modify dev portal stylesheets and edit OAS files in Visual Studio Code instead of asking engineers to do it for me. Feels pretty cool. Also, it’s nice to be able to easily grasp all the intricacies of API design and functionalities when your job is to document them.

“Learn to think like a developer, so you don’t have to ask one.” (Victoria Barnato in All Technical Writers Should Learn to Code)

2. Familiarity with documentation tools

Many coding bootcamps teach the use of popular tools and technologies relevant to technical writing. These may include documentation platforms, version control systems, integrated development environments (IDEs), and collaboration tools. Acquiring familiarity with such tools can streamline your work as a technical writer. This comes particularly handy if you’re delegated to implement Documentation as Code (Docs as Code) — a philosophy of writing documentation with the same tools as code:

• Version Control (Git)
• Issue Trackers
• Plain Text Markup (Markdown, Asciidoc)
• Code Reviews
• Automated Tests.

3. Collaboration with developers

During a coding bootcamp, you’ll likely work closely with other aspiring developers. For instance, during my bootcamp we had daily stand-ups with our team, just like teams of developers do in Agile workstreams. This collaboration can help you understand their perspectives, learn how they approach problem-solving and gain insights into their workflows. Building strong relationships with developers can enhance your ability to gather information, clarify technical details, and collaborate effectively on documentation projects.

4. Exposure to documentation practices

While not the primary focus of a coding bootcamp, you may encounter documentation-related activities during group projects or when working on codebases. This exposure can give you a taste of technical writing tasks, such as writing code comments, documenting APIs or libraries, and creating user guides or tutorials. It provides an opportunity to practice and refine your technical writing skills.

5. Problem-solving and critical thinking

Coding bootcamps emphasize problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which are highly transferable to technical writing. As a technical writer, you’ll often encounter complex information and need to distill it into concise, understandable content. The problem-solving mindset developed in a coding bootcamp can help you approach these challenges effectively.

So do you need to code to be a technical writer?

No, technical writers typically do not need to know how to code. But it does help a lot. While coding knowledge can be helpful in certain situations, it is not a hard requirement for most technical writing jobs. The most important skills for a technical writer are typically strong writing and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to learn new technical concepts quickly.

However, it’s important to note that technical writing encompasses a combination of writing skills, research abilities, and an understanding of audience needs. To become a successful technical writer, consider complementing your coding bootcamp experience with the following:

Writing skills development

Sharpen your writing skills by practicing different writing styles, learning about grammar and style guides, and studying technical writing principles. Consider taking writing courses or engaging in writing-focused activities to enhance your proficiency in conveying complex information clearly and concisely.

Domain knowledge

Depending on the industry or field you plan to specialize in as a technical writer, it’s essential to acquire domain-specific knowledge. This may involve studying relevant technologies, learning about industry standards and practices, and staying updated with the latest trends.

Portfolio building

Create a portfolio that showcases your technical writing abilities. Develop writing samples, such as documentation guides, tutorials, or blog posts, that highlight your capacity to explain technical concepts effectively.

Networking and learning from experienced technical writers

Connect with experienced technical writers through professional networks, forums, or industry events. Engage in discussions, seek mentorship, and learn from their experiences to gain insights into the profession and improve your skills.

Adaptability

The tech industry evolves rapidly. With programming skills, you can quickly adapt to new technologies and software, making you a valuable asset in any tech-focused organization.

By combining the technical foundation gained from a coding bootcamp with the additional skills and knowledge specific to technical writing, i guarantee you that your chances of success in taking a big leap in your technical writer career will reach stratospheric levels.