Certifications and Credentials for Scientific Editors  

Most professionals want to further their careers over the course of their working life. Scientific editors as a whole do not have well-defined paths for establishing their careers, unlike professionals such as lawyers and doctors, where the educational and credentialing processes are well established. Where can scientific editors get their training? Where can they get experience? This paper will explore experiences, certifications and credentials, as well as training, and degrees, specific to scientific editing that can help further the careers of scientific editors.

Firestone, Elaine R., Tony Caruso, Barbara Simmons, Earlene Hammock, Michael Ebinger and Sushil K. Oswal. STC Proceedings (2003). Careers>Certification>Editing>Scientific Communication

Certifying Technical Communicators: An Historical Perspective  

STC members have shown interest in being certified as technical communicators for at least 37 years. The Society has made at least four studies of certification. This paper reviews the work of the 1975-80, 1981, 1982-87 and 1994-1998 committees. The three, multi-year studies had essentially the same results; significant numbers want certification, but too few to make a full certification program economically viable. The studies also revealed that creating a certification program might be divisive. The 1982—-87 study revealed an interest by employers in STC having an accreditation program.

Malcolm, Andrew and Lawrence D. Kunz. STC Proceedings (2001). Careers>Certification>TC>History

The Challenges of Technical Illustration for Customer Documentation in the High Tech Environment  

As emerging computer technology and new graphics software packages allow for the creation of illustration and design by individuals without formal training, traditional illustrators from the “pen and pencil” era are continually challenged to compete in the industry. Choosing a career path in the technical documentation field presents a unique set of challenges for the technical illustrator and designer. This paper identijes the role of a technical illustrator and the tools and skills required for success in a high tech environment.

Moore, Donna Lynn. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>TC>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration

The Changing Role of the Technical Communicator  

How many times have you said, 'I wouldn’t have to write 20 pages of documentation to explain this if the product was designed correctly in the first place!' Given our focus on user advocacy, the melding of the Web and the desktop, and the changes—away from those with which we’ve historically been associated—in the tools we use to develop information, we’re in a prime position to become more involved in product design. This paper briefly describes how the field is changing for many technical communicators and what you need to know to move into this exciting area.

Ames, Andrea L. STC Proceedings (2002). Careers>TC

The Changing World of the Independent: A Broader Perspective     

The past few years have brought many changes in the profession of technical communication: the expansion of professional roles within organizations, new technologies for document design and presentation, and the global cultural influence as technology expands to overseas markets. Perhaps the most important change in the profession, however, is not external like these, but internal in the ways that the core business model has adapted to the new, information-based development model.

Barker, Thomas and Kathryn Poe. Technical Communication Online (2002). Careers>Freelance

Chapter Public Relations: Learn from the Winners  

After nearly six years as a technical editor, I wanted a larger, more visible role in the environmental engineering company where I worked. Learning new skills in marketing and public relations through the Mid-South Chapter put me in the position to do that when my company reorganized its marketing functions this year. In this paper, I focus on the management skills I learned managing the public relations committee for our chapter.

Carbaugh King, Margaret. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>Management>Marketing

Choose More Than a Job… Choose How You Want to Work  

Technical communicators can be found in various working environments, including consulting firms, traditional companies and organizations, and in entrepreneurial ventures. Each environment has advantages and disadvantages that you should consider. As a technical communicator, you have the ability to choose the working environment that is right for you during different stages of your career.

Statt, Ronald A. STC Proceedings (2003). Careers>Workplace

Choose Your Employer Wisely

For years, would-be employees have undergone scrutiny by employers during the interview process. In addition to our resume, we have to provide personal and professional references. We have to pass drug tests and personality tests. We have to prove our education and in many cases, whether or not we actually served in the military. It's all for a good cause of course, but rarely is the topic of employer suitability mentioned in the Job Hunting context. These last few years have been unprecedented in regards to company ethics and business practices. One doesn't have to look far to hear a sad tale of over-promised benefits, stock, and promotions from companies who are now nothing more than memories. The ongoing telecom scandals have even further rocked our beliefs in the stability and ethics of Corporate America. With all the recent layoffs and 'restructuring' now is a great chance for employees to take time out to evaluate their next employer. employee happiness is possibly the most important area of a person's overall professional satisfaction. Thus, it is not to be taken lightly. Nothing else matters if you go to work for the wrong company - not even if you've been out of work for a year and you simply need the money. Sooner or later, you'll be back in the same jam.

Souther, Christopher. GaryConroy.com (2002). Careers>Interviewing>TC

Choosing and Using a Technical Writer

Offers advice for anyone looking to hire a technical writer on choosing a writer and using a writer.

Weber, Jean Hollis. Business Consulting News (1997). Careers>Advice>Management

CIO's Playbook for Adopting the Scrum Method of Achieving Software Agility  

The authors of this whitepaper have helped many hundreds of teams adopt Scrum. Here they share how CIOs can implement Scrum on an organization-wide basis - the challenges they will face as well as the rewards - and provides a playbook for adopting Scrum in enterprises where software, and lots of it, is the key to competitive success in the marketplace.

Leffingwell, Dean and Hubert Smits. Rally Software Development (2005). Careers>Management>Agile>Scrum

Circumventing HR: Effective Job-Hunting Strategies

A common misconception is that Human Resources departments exist to help job-seekers find their place within a company. In fact, the role of HR departments is to act as the gatekeeper. Savvy job-seekers know how to get around, over, and bypass the gates of HR, to connect with the decision-makers who can really help you. 

Hamer Associates. Careers>Interviewing

Clicking for a Job: Using Job Search Web Sites in a Technical Communication Job Search  

Technical communicators should use job search Web sites and other Internet resources (i.e., listservs and email networking) as part of their overall job search strategy. In using job search Web sites, technical communicators should choose carefully from four main categories of such sites: general job search sites, field-specific sites, professional organization sites, and specific employer sites. Each of these categories requires specific consideration. Job seekers should take into account the specific characteristics and purposes of the site and its users. To get the most effective results, technical communicators should also take special care when choosing keywords for job searches.

Bloch, Janel M. STC Proceedings (2003). Careers>Interviewing>Online

The Client Did It: A WWW Whodunit

Why is it that we allow ourselves to be put in a compromising position where the client tells us how to be web designers? Maybe it's because the perception among the wider public is that 'anyone' can make a website. And they're right. Anyone can make a website--but not everyone can make an emotionally engaging interactive experience that will live in the visitor's memory. (Similarly, anyone with access to a photocopier and a stapler can 'make a book,' but good books are scarce.)

Shepherd, Robbie. List Apart, A (2000). Careers>Consulting>Web Design

The Client-Consultant Link  

This panel brings together three consultants to discuss the link between the client and consultant. Their individual papers provide the background; 'Create Your Consultant Image,' 'SmartStart Guides,' and 'Managing Client Relationships.'

Woods, Joyce F., Nancee E. Master and Karen Steele. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>Consulting>Communication

Client-Friendly Atmosphere: The Polish and The Lubricants

During the last few years in projects, I interacted with a lot of clients. All these projects were based offshore, where client interaction was mainly through emails or teleconferences. When you do not work face-to-face with clients, communication is key to win your clients' confidence.

Nafde, Yamini. Indus (2006). Careers>Consulting>Collaboration

Coach Your Staff to Better Performance

Use coaching techniques to help employees reach more ambitious goals, faster and easier, or overcome performance problems. The coaching model is both an attitude and a way of communicating. Use coaching techniques to inspire and motivate people to accomplish more, with less stress and greater satisfaction. A coaching relationship supports the self-worth of each individual and provides a range of benefits to an organization. Coaching empowers others to seek and deliver their best.

Agnew, Beth. STC Proceedings (2003). Careers>Management>TC

Code of Ethics for Professional Communicators

The IABC Code of Ethics is based on three different yet interrelated principles of professional communication that apply throughout the world. These principles assume that just societies are governed by a profound respect for human rights and the rule of law; that ethics, the criteria for determining what is right and wrong, can be agreed upon by members of an organization; and, that understanding matters of taste requires sensitivity to cultural norms.

IABC. Careers>Business Communication>Ethics

Combating Isolation as a Self-Employed Technical Communicator: Beyond Working Hours  

Small, independent business owners never really stop thinking about their businesses; after all, your latest and greatest client may be on the stair stepper next to you at the gym. However, you know that sometimes you need a change of scenery, a change of activity, a chance to unhinge the hips that sometimes feel they are permanently fixed in a sitting position. Plus, occasionally, it’s necessary to realize that there is a world out there that is full of interesting things that have nothing to do with publication deadlines, document management, or online help. Yes, really, there is.

Teich, Thea. STC Proceedings (2000). Careers>Freelance>TC

Coming into the Workplace: What Every Technical Communicator Should Know—Besides Writing  

Working successfully as a technical communicator involves a great deal more than a thorough knowledge of professional skills and capability in the craft. Working at this kind of job means dealing with all sorts of people, handling all sorts of assignments and dealing with all sorts of corporate agendas and requirements that have seemingly little to do with getting the project out the door. But it’s all in a day’s work, and if you want to keep the job, you’ve got to accept and actually operate within all of those guidelines, strictures, rules (written and unwritten) and mores that make up the corporate structure.

Barker, Thomas, Rebecca A. Fuller, Deborah J. Rosenquist, John Schladen and Thea Teich. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Workplace>Writing>Technical Writing

Coming of Age

It seems like a lifetime ago when I asked my boss if I could adopt the title 'Information Architect.' After all, according to Richard Saul Wurman's definition, that is what I was. He laughed at me and said Information Architect isn’t a title, or a role. It’s not a job. That conversation took place only four years ago.

Malone, Erin. Boxes and Arrows (2002). Careers>Information Design

Communicating for Advantage in the Virtual Organization      

This paper looks at the virtual organization in an electronic market environment and the different models of communication and management that may be required. The authors begin by providing some clear definitions of virtual cultures and different models of virtuality that can exist within the electronic market. Degrees of virtuality can be seriously constrained by the extent to which organizations have predefined communication linkages in the marketplace and the extent to which these can be substituted by virtual ones, but also by the intensity of virtual linkages which support the virtual model. Six virtual organizational models are proposed within a dynamic framework of change. In order to realize strategic advantage, virtual organizations must align their management models and communication processes with their virtual culture.

Burn, Janice and Martin Barnett. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication (1988). Careers>Management>Online

Communicating What You Do That's Special  

Designed for technical communicators with one to five years of working experience, this workshop enables participants to successfully demonstrate the value of their work by drawing on personal experiences to describe their capabilities and approaches. Specifically participants will effectively muster facts, figures, and metaphors to convince an employer (supervisor, colleague, project director, or whomever) that he or she can: come into a project “cold”; complete a front-end analysis of needs; develop an appropriate approach; and perform to specified standards, regardless of subject matter. Further, this workshop aims to build self-esteem by highlighting the added value that a technical communicator brings to a project by representing a special perspective.

Huff, Claudia H. STC Proceedings (1994). Careers>TC>Rhetoric

Communicating with Clients

Technical language is important to professions like ours. It enables us to define precisely what we are talking about, so facilitating unambiguous communication within our profession, with other professions, and when appropriate, with consumers of our services.

Bowen, Caroline. Tripod.com (1998). Careers>Collaboration>Communication

Communication Ability as a Predictor of Job Satisfaction in Managerial and Nonmanagerial Positions  

This paper examines the connection between communication ability and job satisfaction. The Social Skills Inventory and the Job Descriptive Index were administered to sixty-eight participants. The mean age of participants was 26.5 (SD=8.84) and mean duration of current employment was 3.89 years (SD=5.67). The results showed a significant correlation between overall social skills and overall job satisfaction. This study also examined how managers and nonmanagers differ when examining the connection between social skills and job satisfaction. The results showed a significant correlation between nonmanager’s ability to interpret verbal and nonverbal messages and their overall job satisfaction.

Raphael, Douglas David. Association for Business Communication (2005). Careers>Management>Communication

Communication and the Internship: The Roles of Program Directors and Teachers in Facilitating Change  

This panel addresses the necessity of dialogue within and about the technical communication workplace of the future as it mixes scholarship, classroom practice, and the reports of corporate technical communication managers to offer a comprehensive approach to the analysis of internship data and the productive use of internship experiences.

Fink, Bonnie L. and Alice l. Philbin. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Internships