
A Career Theory for Technical Communicators: How Career Theory Informs Training and Education
http://www.stc.org/confproceed/1993/PDFs/PG264265.PDF
Marie, Ann Ryan
STC Proceedings
1993
Abstract:
Career theory should inform any individual or corporate
needs analysis for professional development. A useful
career theory for technical communicators is one
developed just for them. For this reason we designed the
multi-phase study. This discussion focuses on the definition of career theory and how existing career theory can inform technical communication training theory. The
research design used to create our survey has evolved from
the relevant literature on career planning and career
management.
The literature on career planning and management
contains no career theory specific to technical
communicators. Traditionally, training personnel have
assumed that professional development, training, and to
some degree, post-graduate education are determined by
the employer’s needs. This is true particularly in cases of
tuition assistance for expensive technical or graduate
training.