Two Views on STC Certification    

The ongoing discussion of certification continues with these concurrent articles, each arguing a different side of the coin.

Rosenberg, Nad and Geoffrey J.S. Hart. Intercom (2008). Articles>Certification>TC>STC

Why Certification by the STC Won’t Work

The virtues of certification cannot be ignored, but they are outweighed by the drawbacks: There’s no evidence that employers will value certification; it can be highly subjective; and it requires ongoing renewal, even for experienced practitioners, to avoid diluting its value. The more important task must be to demonstrate our value to employers. Only once they understand our value will certification provide a means to assure employers that they can expect to receive that value.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Intercom (2008). Articles>Certification>TC>Professionalism

Certification - Why We Need to Begin   

I believe certification of technical communicators is unavoidable, given the current status of related professions and our technological environment. Either the STC develops a certification program, or someone else will do it.

Rosenberg, Nad. Intercom (2008). Articles>Certification>TC>Professionalism

Defining a Body of Knowledge

STC has meant a lot to my professional growth over the past 20+ years as a teacher and practitioner of technical communication, and I want to help STC expand its educational mission for all technical communicators. It is time our profession had a defined body of knowledge. Why?

Hart, Hillary. STC WDC Blog (2009). Articles>Certification>TC>Body of Knowledge