The Professional and Technical Writing (PTW) program at George Mason University has opened doors for many students seeking diverse and rewarding careers. One such graduate, Eric Spiegel, transitioned from a physics and forensic science background to technical communication. His story highlights the versatility of the PTW program and offers valuable insights for prospective students considering a similar path.
Eric Spiegel began his academic journey with a Bachelor's in Physics from Virginia Tech, followed by a Master’s in Forensic Science from George Washington University. Despite his strong educational background, he spent nearly a decade exploring different jobs before realizing his passion for writing and communication. Encouraged to consider technical writing as a career, he initially enrolled in the PTW program at Mason to earn a certificate. However, after his first semester, he decided to pursue the full Master’s degree, recognizing the value it offered for professional growth. Eric graduated with his MA in English, concentration in PTW, in May 2024, and was that year’s Outstanding Graduate Student in PTW.
Goals and Career Aspirations
When entering the PTW program, Eric had three main objectives:
- Gain credentials to establish credibility in the field.
- Expand his professional network.
- Develop practical, resume-enhancing skills in technical writing.
These goals helped guide his academic choices and career trajectory, ultimately leading to a successful transition into the industry.
Understanding Professional and Technical Writing
Eric defines professional technical writing as the practice of translating complex technical concepts into accessible content for a general audience. This includes software guides, instruction manuals, and proposals. While academia plays a role in the field, he emphasizes that technical writing extends far beyond university settings, touching industries like technology, healthcare, and government.
Eric currently works at Xyleme, a position he secured through a LinkedIn connection. He finds great satisfaction in his role, particularly in learning about the software development industry and participating in a supportive work culture.
His journey underscores the importance of networking and leveraging professional relationships when seeking opportunities in technical writing.
Eric also stresses that professional technical writing offers numerous opportunities outside of academia. The demand for skilled technical communicators continues to grow in technology, healthcare, government, and corporate settings. He encourages students to explore various paths within the field and take advantage of the resources and connections available through the PTW program.
For students considering the PTW program, Eric offers the following advice: “First, figure out what your goal is...do you want to go into technical writing or proposal writing? Because those are two big [program strengths.] And so you know, definitely make sure to take both like a tech comm class and take a proposal writing class...because those give you really good insights into those two kind of career paths.”
He also encourages students to seek out opportunities outside of class as well, through PTW events like “professional development forums, which bring in outside industry people, which is really nice to get in contact and to try to foster mentorships there.”
Eric’s journey highlights the PTW program’s ability to equip students with practical skills, industry connections, and a clear path toward rewarding careers. His story inspires anyone considering a transition into technical writing and proves that diverse academic backgrounds can lead to success in this dynamic field.
February 24, 2025