JOIN USNew courses, new opportunities in the knowledge sector
Over the past few years, the know-ledge industry has experienced exponential chan-ges with the rapid surge in outsourcing, changing customer needs, globalisation and emergence of newer technologies that force businesses to constantly modify their strategies.
These changes have resulted in the emergence of a few specialised, lucrative careers in the industry.
Among others, the top ten careers that have brought a wave of employment opportunities are Technical Writing, Instructional Design, Business Communication, Copywriting, Copy Editing, Programme Management, Patent Writing, Web Content Writing, Business Research and Analytics, and Graphic Design.
Today, almost all industries seek highly-skilled professionals who can deliver from the word go. This demand for specialists will continue to create new opportunities for youngsters.
Roles and responsibilities
Technical Writing: The job calls for skills to compile technical information with reference to a context for a specific audience. It involves creating installation and user manuals, online help, process documents, and other technical documentation.
Instructional Design: One gets to create instructional or training materials to educate users. This involves creating training materials (workbooks, presentations and demos) and delivering training through the Web, classroom, and audio-visuals.
Business Communication: One needs to communicate to promote a product, service, or an organisation. This involves creating case studies, white papers, brochures, newsletters, datasheets, and other business collaterals.
Copy Editing: Calls for a review of documents to meet the objective of those documents. It involves reading, identifying errors, and correcting the information in a document.
Copywriting: This job is all about use of words to endorse a person, business, opinion, or idea through the Web, print and audio-visual media.
Programme Management: A programme manager must manage several inter-related projects, with the aim of improving an organisation’s performance. This involves coordinating and monitoring scheduling, pricing, and technical performance of the company’s programmes.
Patent Writing: One has to write legal documents. This involves gathering information about the invention, writing out the inventor’s ideas, creating patent applications, and representing the inventor in legal proceedings to achieve a patent.
Web Content Writing: Involves writing for the Web with reference to a specific audience. This involves creating keyword-rich and understandable content for websites and designing them.
Business Research and Analytics: Calls for skills to research and analyse organisations, complex business models, data, and business processes. It also involves creating reports, building strategies and writing articles.
Graphic Design: The designer needs to communicate using visual elements to present ideas or concepts. This involves creating typography and visual art, which can be used in magazines, advertisements, sign boards and reference manuals.
According to cnnmoney. com, the number of technical writing jobs is expected to increase by 20 per cent during 2006-2016.
The average salary of a technical communicator is Rs 4 lakh per annum and the average salary for an LPO professional is Rs 4.25 lakh per annum, according to an IDC survey (2009).
Career prospects
The industries that employ specialists from the top ten careers in the knowledge industry include aerospace, biotechnology, banking, financial services and insurance, computer hardware and software, manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, pharmaceuticals, robotics, animation, universities, advertising agencies, and training institutes.
Most of these specialised careers have a clear and definite career path, characterised by the benefits of continuous career growth and professional enhancement.
With 4 years of experience, the employee can grow to be a team lead, heading a team of competitive and skilled employees. Eventually, he/she can even reach the managerial position after working for 10 years in the industry. With 13 to 15 years in the industry, one can rise to the position of Knowledge Manager or Chief Technology Officer. However, it must be said that the position and the duration to reach the next level may vary depending on the employee’s competency and the company’s business goals.