Technical Writing Scholarships
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Technical writers specialize in translating technical documents into products that are easily understood by the intended audience, often the consumer layperson. Writers work in a variety of environments and many are freelance or telecommute. They may also work in teams, especially in large IT companies, or as a “lone” writer.
If you’re interested in technical or professional writing you should already have an interest and aptitude for writing. Professionals may specialize in software and hardware documentation, online help platforms, marketing and promotional materials and much more. You will likely be required to know proprietary desktop publishing platforms suited to rendering technical documents and a variety of computer languages such as HTML and SQL.
Scholarships
The Society for Technical Communications (STC) is one of the leading professional organizations uniting technical writers all over the country and across an array of IT realms. Regional chapters provide their own scholarships:
- The Capital Chapter of the STC created the Shirley G. Carter Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student member pursuing technical documentation as a career. Up to $1500 for either undergraduate or graduate student.
- Technical and Professional Writing Program Scholarships are given to students attending San Francisco State University. Sponsored by the San Francisco Chapter of the STC, the award funds up to $1,000 to an academically outstanding student.
- The Inland Empire Chapter of the STC created the Michael Stern Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of a colleague. Students pursuing a technical writing program at UC-Riverside may earn the $500 scholarship if they are a student-member of the organization and excel at technical/professional writing.
The Society of Future Technical Communicators created the Melissa Pellegrin Memorial Scholarship. The award is open to students enrolled in the technical writing program at the University of Central Florida. Interested students may apply by writing a letter describing their choice of technical writing as a career goal.
The Crouse Scholarships in Professional Writing at Purdue are open to undergraduate students in disciplines related to technical documentation. The award amount is $5,000. A resume and letter of recommendation must accompany the application.
Professional Writing Scholarship from Oklahoma State University awards a $200 award to graduate students with demonstrated excellence in professional and technical writing.
There are over 30 scholarships from departmental to private endowed available to Technical Writing students interested in the program at Northeastern University. The School of Continuing Studies offers the Certificate in Technical Writing online or on campus. Emphasis is on technical writing and essential computer languages with electives in certain applications.
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point scholarships in technical or professional writing:
- Bryon Crites Memorial Award is need-based and funds are variable. Students must excel in business and technical applications.
- Dr. Ron Pine Technical Writing Scholarship is a small award made to a student with the “highest GPA.”
The Abe Zarem Scholarship is funded by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Graduate students in technical writing may apply. Applicants must be student-members and have excellent samples with which to showcase their technical expertise. Award is $500.
