Introduction:
Hello, fellow tech enthusiasts!
I’m thrilled to share the inspiring journey of our second WriteTech Bootcamp cohort.
Over the past eight weeks, we’ve had the joy of nurturing emerging technical writers (WriteTechers), helping them hone skills that are crucial yet often overlooked in the tech world. This Bootcamp is more than just a learning program; it’s a place where passion meets skill, where our participants turn their technical writing aspirations into reality.
When I first envisioned WriteTech Bootcamp, I wanted to provide a practical and comprehensive path into the dynamic and essential field of technical writing. The Bootcamp is designed as a game-changer for those starting, addressing key challenges like niche specialisation, developing low-code tech skills, gaining access to mentorship, and building a solid portfolio.
The journey from curious learners to confident professionals among our participants is a testament to the transformative power of targeted education and mentorship. We’ve seen firsthand how hands-on learning builds confidence and equips our WriteTechers with the skills needed to excel.
The Journey of Cohort 2
From over 300 applications, 55 diverse participants embarked on this transformative journey. The program concluded with 19 graduates, each with a comprehensive portfolio and a solid foundation in technical writing.
One of our top ten participants, James Akande, shared on Twitter: “…@zaycodes The WriteTech Bootcamp was a game-changer for me. Amazing. Intense. Thrilling… I created a user guide for Twitter Web, profile READMEs, and a feature tutorial for 300+ applicants. 55 accepted. 19 graduates. And I emerged among the top ten…” (Full thread)
A testament to the quality of the program.
Facilitators and Mentorship
Our industry experts, including Ms. Linda and Abdulazeez, Ifihan, and Victory, provided invaluable mentorship. Their practical, in-depth sessions allowed participants to engage with real-world technical writing scenarios.
Aluge Joy Isime, a participant, shared, “The first week was quite interesting given that I love testing myself a lot… The tutors allayed my fears and made the classes quite eventful.”
Seeing our facilitators impart their knowledge and ignite passion in our WriteTechers was genuinely inspiring. Their dedication went beyond teaching; they were mentors, guiding each participant towards their full potential.
Learning and Growth
What an incredible month it’s been at WriteTech Bootcamp! Thanks to our fabulous facilitators, our journey was packed with knowledge, insights, and hands-on experience. Here’s a peek into the adventure:
Week 1 – Introduction to Technical Writing by Linda Ikechukwu
We kicked off with Linda diving into what makes technical writing tick. It wasn’t just about learning the types of technical writing but about embracing the art of communication. Linda’s passion for clarity and precision in writing was contagious. She educated our participants on how to write content that is useful to their readers, the various forms this content could take, the importance of sharing your work in public, and how, as writers, you can conquer writer’s block.
We explored how to speak directly to our audience’s needs and kill every writer’s treasure.
She also educated the participants on how to use popular open-source tools – like GitHub, which was very insightful, as our next facilitator – Ifihan – was to guide them on how to contribute to open source as technical writers.
Week 2 – Contributing to Open Source as a Technical Writer by Ifihan Olusheye
Ifihan took us on a thrilling ride into the world of Open Source. It was like uncovering a hidden treasure trove of opportunities for technical writers.
She made them learn by experience the ropes of contributing to open source as technical writers and understanding the impactful role we play.
They went through exercises that expected them to explore various open source projects and find out ways they can contribute to them, and this brought a beautiful turn-out because we had students formerly scared of open source making their first contributions and getting familiar with open source projects. In the end, they compiled all their knowledge into an article explaining how technical writers can collaborate with other roles in the open-source ecosystem.
This week was an eye-opener. The case studies? Inspiring!
Week 3 – Introduction to the Different Types Of Technical Content by Victory Nwani
Victory introduced us to the vast world of technical content types. Each day was a new discovery, from API docs to the nitty-gritty of white papers. The best part? We got our hands dirty, applying what we learned in real-time. It felt like being an explorer in the uncharted territories of tech writing.
We had participants hear about release notes for the first time ever, and they learned it well enough to deliver an assignment on the topic by the end of the class. We explored the differences between a user manual and a user guide, and referencing the topic on open source contributions from the past week, Victory encouraged the students to put their new skills into practice by contributing to open source projects in any of the forms they have learnt to build technical content.
Week 4 – Audience Analysis in Technical Writing by Abdulazeez Adeshina
This was the grand finale! During the “cruise lecture week”, as one of our students put it, Abdulazeez took a different teaching method. He was hands-on from the start, giving an exercise to gauge the student’s understanding of audience analysis and testing how they’d create content for users new to APIs.
He didn’t just teach us about audience analysis; he showed us how to step into our readers’ shoes. Every session blended theory and real-life examples, making it super relatable. His approach to ethical considerations in audience analysis? Mind-blowing!
One of my favourite parts was him sectioning some time out in the last class to ask about their career goals and answer whatever career-related questions they might have. As a senior technical writer with years of experience under his belt, he was in the perfect place to give premium advice, and giving it to the students out of goodwill was just really notable.
By the end of these four weeks, we had covered ground theoretically and had a vibrant portfolio of work to show for it. The journey from blank pages to well-crafted documents was nothing short of magical.
And we’re truly grateful to our facilitators for that!
To truly appreciate and showcase the incredible talent and hard work of our WriteTechers, look at their published articles. Each piece is a reflection of their dedication and newly acquired skills. [View their work here](Zaycodes WriteTechers Hall of Fame).
Watching our participants evolve over these weeks was like witnessing a beautiful metamorphosis. They came in curious and left as confident, skilled writers ready to make their mark. Their portfolios are not just documents but stories of their growth and dedication.
Achievements and Recognitions
The bootcamp concluded with 19 graduates, with the top 10 performers recognized for their exceptional work. The graduation ceremony was a highlight, celebrating all participants’ hard work and dedication.
Ijeoma, one of our top ten participants, shared, “Before the bootcamp, I wasn’t confident about posting my articles… but now, the bootcamp has made me more confident in myself and my abilities…”
During the graduation ceremony, the sense of accomplishment among the participants was palpable. It was a moment of pride for the learners, facilitators, and the Zaycodes team.
Looking Forward
The success of this cohort sets the stage for future programs. We’re excited to continue offering this transformative experience to more aspiring technical writers.
Our vision for future cohorts is to maintain this standard of excellence and elevate it, continuously adapting and refining our approach to empower the next generation of technical writers.
Expanding Our Reach and Impact
There’s still so much we aspire to achieve. Our goal is to prepare technical writers to launch their careers with strong portfolios and the foundation they need to excel. Achieving this requires support from both organisations and experienced technical writers who can be facilitators.
We invite those interested in guiding the next generation of technical writers to learn more and discuss terms at https://zaycodes.com/facilitators/.
We are also looking for sponsors willing to support our mission; more information for potential sponsors is available at https://zaycodes.com/sponsors/.
The growth of WriteTech Bootcamp and our participants is not just our achievement; it’s a collaborative effort. The support from experienced professionals and organisations in the tech writing community has been invaluable.
Join the WriteTech Journey
We’re gearing up for more cohorts, and your journey into technical writing could start with us. Stay updated on future cohorts and other valuable insights by subscribing to our newsletter.
For more information about the bootcamp, our methods, and how we make a difference, visit our website.
Whether you’re starting out or looking to enhance your technical writing skills, WriteTech Bootcamp is here to guide you. Don’t believe me? Hear from our past interns.
Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, and let’s embark on this exciting journey together.
Conclusion:
As we close the chapter on our second WriteTech Bootcamp cohort, we look forward to writing new success stories in the coming chapters. The journey of each WriteTech Bootcamp cohort is a testament to our commitment to excellence in technical writing education. We’re not just teaching skills but building a community of knowledgeable, confident technical writers ready to make their mark.
Each WriteTech Bootcamp cohort brings new stories, challenges, and triumphs. It’s a continuous journey of learning, growth, and empowerment. We’re excited about what the future holds and are grateful to everyone who’s joining us on this journey.
WriteTech Bootcamp Cohort 2 Participants!
More Reviews!
If you cannot get enough of our participant reviews, find more of them here.
To find out more about our bootcamp, kindly follow this link.
We look forward to having you as one of us, either as a partner, a sponsor, an intern, or a facilitator! Feel free to contact us on any of our social media handles: LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and Website.
Happy holiday
Zainab Daodu,
Founder, Zaycodes
