Communication skills are vital

Outlook is open from the moment I sign into my computer until the moment I sign out. It is always on the right, smaller monitor. Gmail is always minimized. The majority of my communication with coworkers, family, and friends is done via email. As for coworkers, yes, it is possible and easy to simply walk to the other cube or talk across the cubes, but email gives the ever-important paper trail. Instead of saying to your boss "well I talked to so and so and they said this..." you have the actual email thread with all of the links and time stamps. This is especially important when you are waiting for feedback from a review and your reviewers haven't responded. Usually, you CC your boss so that he or she is aware of the time and content you sent your review. He or she can get the ball rolling if reviewers aren't responding.

Sometimes email is the only way to contact people. Sure, everyone has a phone, but the timing can be very off. On two products, I work with a team in India. Their night is our morning. When I come in on Thursday, their Thursday is just ending. It's vital to send emails that need responses on your tomorrow before you leave at night, otherwise, while you're sleeping, they will not be able to work on whatever it is you need.

Another major communication skill is one-on-one meetings. If you're lucky, you'll have regular check-ins with your boss about your progress, assignments, and updates. Even if you don't, you'll likely have in-person interactions. Unlike emails, you can't go and delete something you've said. You need to prepare for these interactions by listing out your assignments and progress, preparing questions, and having metrics ready.

Being a technical communicator, you shouldn't have any problems with this!