How do I get a job as a technical writer? (degree, career)

[the city]

I have a sociology degree and I am an experienced writer for a website. I really want to go into technical writing which I hear is going in demand. How do I get my foot
In this door for this position?

Thank you

[Ohiogirl81]

Writing is all about experience and expertise. If you can put a coherent, properly punctuated sentence together and know your behind from the AP Stylebook, you just might be ahead of the game.

"Technical writing" is a sweeping term that means next to nothing because the definition depends on who is doing the talking. You need to look at each position on its own merits, comparing your writing expertise and style with the employer's needs. So consider:

What do you want to write about? What topics do you have experience writing about? What kind of paid experience do you have? Do you have experience handling multiple deadlines? Can you work alone and in groups, take criticism, offer quick turnaround, juggle deadlines, write for different audiences?

[joe from dayton]

What technical subject/s are you knowledgeable in? My dad was a technical writer and illustrator for years, but it was his years of training and experience as a naval officer that made him a subject matter expert in the areas he was writing about.

[JTE1969]

I have a BSME, but back in college I was very proficient in writing my term papers and project reports or so... I got my first job after college as a Technical Writer documenting half of an Investment Casting Plant because I pitched to HR and the Gen Manager that I'm very good at English, writing papers, and in Artificial Intelligence - and I showed them my portfolio of writing back in college.

[Honey Badger Mentor]

I did some technical writing when I was younger and little now. Basically, writing the documentation on how to use software packages. I still do it a little bit.

But, I work for a small company and it is very sporadic work. When I looked into doing it as a career, the requirements were/are a bit intimidating. Some wanted a degree in english, many wanted knowledge in programming languages. I remember one wanted a degree in English and a Master's in CS.

Since I am dealing with software, half the time I am doing QA.

Anyways, I kinda of fell into it. My boss hated doing it, the programmers were terrible at it. So, I ended up taking up the slack.