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Careers in Technical Communication
Presentation for Dr. Liz Angeli’s Classes
Towson University, October 2014
Presented by Carolyn Klinger
Agenda
Techcomm definition Career security Paths to careers in
techcomm Society for Technical
Communication
Technical Communication is…
Contributing to business goals by designing and enhancing internal communications and by reusing content in cost-effective ways.
Technical Communication also is…
Communicating about technical or specialized topics by using technology, including emerging new media
STC Body of KnowledgeGo to the STC collaboration site
at http://stcbok.editme.com to learn, contribute, and add to your online portfolio.
Techcomm is Interdisciplinary
Disciplines• Technical writing & editing
• Content strategy
• Information architecture
• Advertising & marketing communication
• Science writing (and “ghost writing”)
• Medical writing
• Work for nonprofit organizations (grant proposals, etc.)
• Usability and accessibility
• Instructional design
• Indexing
Technical Writing & Editing• Hardware and software
documentation• Policies and procedures• White papers• Textbooks• Proposals• Marketing materials• Video scripts• Magazine articles• Copy editing for
publishers
Medical Writing• Editing or ghost-writing articles for medical journals
• Patient-oriented websites• Flyers describing illnesses
and treatments, for doctors’ offices
• Medical transcription• Instructions for
prescription medication• Marketing materials and
web sites• Instructions for using
medical devices such as X-ray machines
• Biotech
Work for Nonprofit Organizations
• Grant proposals
• Fund-raising collaterals
• Literature for clients of
the nonprofit groups
• Web site design,
content, and
maintenance
Advertising & Marketing Communications • Advertising
– Print– Radio– TV– Billboards– Web sites– Social media
• Marketing collateral– Brochures– Flyers– Fact sheets– Trade show graphics– Narrated video– Web sites
• Job market for techcomm is huge
• Technology is always a growth market
• Smart companies know that their communication with their customers can make or break them
Career Security
Tech Writing is One of the Best Jobs in America
http://money.cnn.com/pf/best-jobs/2013/snapshots/86.html
BLS Tracks Salary and Outlook
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/technical-writers.htm
Tech Writing Employment is Growing
Growing Job Market
There are 46,100+ technical writers in the U.S.!(according to the 2012-2013 STC Salary Database)
States with the most high tech and industry jobs have the most techcomm jobs
Annual STC Salary Database
Data are from the 2012-2013 STC Salary Database
Data are from the 2012-2013 STC Salary Database, which is drawn from data reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
Local Industries• Biotech/Medical/Science• Computer hardware• Computer software• Computer networking and security• Consumer products• Telecommunications• Finance• Academia• Government/Defense/Aerospace• Nonprofit organizations
Local Jobs from jobs.stcwdc.org
.
Paths to Careers in Techcomm
Develop Core Skills
• Writing accurately
• Writing clearly
• Writing concisely
• Writing coherently
• Writing creatively
• Tapping diverse media
• Crossing boundaries and cultures
On-the-Job Training
Degree Programs
• B.A. in techcomm
• M.A. in techcomm
• Ph.D. in techcomm
• Undergraduate minor in techcomm
• A certificate based on a given number of courses in techcomm
Joining STC
Benefits of Membership• Affiliation (geographic or virtual) with an STC student chapter
• Affiliation (geographic or virtual) with an STC geographic
chapter
• Affiliation with one STC special interest group (SIG)
• Access to salary scales, job listings, and other valuable
intellectual property on the international STC web site
• Opportunities to expand your network and build skills
through volunteering
Benefits of Membership (Cont.)• Eligibility for STC student
mentoring programs
• Professional networking
• Online access to industry-leading professional publications
• Reduced rates for STC conferences, webinars (plus free webinars), and certification in technical communication
Membership Levels
Student$75/year
New Technical
Communicator
$160/year
Classic$225/year
Your Local Chapter is wdcb.stcwdc.org
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