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

The quality of internships for students and for employers is highly influenced by how well the students and employers are prepared for them. In this segment, we discuss how academia can prepare students so that students and their employers get the most out of internships. We suggest a model that academia and employers can use to identify skills and knowledge students require now and in the future to ensure successful internships. We identify the need for employers to produce a quality internship environment that takes full advantage of the students’ skills and knowledge. And, we’ll discuss how academia and employers collaborate to continually enhance the quality of internship programs.

English, Kathleen A. and Barry Jereb. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Internships

Communication in International Virtual Offices  

Advances in communication technologies mean that colleagues from different parts of the world can work together in the same online space. In some cases, that space is an e-mail exchange, text messaging, or a shared corporate intranet site; in other cases, it is an electronic bulletin board or chat room related to a project. These shared online work spaces—or international virtual offices (IVOs)—provide a level of interaction that can reduce production costs and shorten production cycles.

St. Amant, Kirk R. Intercom (2003). Careers>Telecommuting>Collaboration>Workplace

Companies Turn to Grades, and Employees Go to Court  

An increasingly popular technique for evaluating employees is prompting lawsuits charging discrimination at three big companies. At issue is the ranking of managers, professionals and sometimes lower-level employees from best to worst, or grading them on a bell curve, and then using that ranking to help determine pay and sometimes whether to fire someone.

Abelson, Reed. New York Times, The (2001). Careers>Collaboration>Assessment

Company E-mail and Internet Policies

More and more companies are monitoring e-mail and Internet use by employees. How do they do it, why do they do it, and is it really legal? This article explores the privacy, harassment and criminal concerns raised by employees' use of the Internet and e-mail.  Plus, two forms: E-mail/Internet Usage Policy and Software Policy.

Weil, Barbara Gall. GigaLaw.com (2000). Careers>Workplace>Privacy>Email

Comparing Apples to Apples: An Interviewing Process and Strategy  

An effective interview process better enables fhe selection of thoroughly qualified technical writers. This process is repeatable and ensures comparing “apples to apples. ” The seven steps are 1) advertise the job, 2) receive and review the resumes, 3) receive and review the writing samples, 4) set up the interuiezu, 5) hold the pre-intetiao strategy meeting, 6) hold the interoiew, 7)and hold the post-interview debriefing.

Sharp, Jane and Gloria M.D. Gyure. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>Interviewing

Competentieprofiel Technische Communicatie

STIC-leden kunnen zich uitstekend vinden in het competentieprofiel voor de Technisch Communicatie-specialist. Dat blijkt uit de resultaten van de enquête die de werkgroep Opleiding en Trainingen in het najaar 2007 aan de STIC-leden voorlegde.

STIC (2008). (Dutch) Careers>TC>Writing>Technical Writing

Computerjobs: Technical Writing

Offers a large database of jobs for IT professionals, including technical writing positions. Allows job seekers to post their resumes and bookmark jobs. Allows employers to post new jobs and search resumes.

ComputerJobs.com. Careers>Job Listings>Writing>Technical Writing

Conquering the Cubicle Syndrome

Cubicles aren't really physical walls--they're a state of mind. In effect, it's the belief that you've been compartmentalized and isolated that defines the cubicle. The four-sided, felt-lined livestock pens loved by evil office managers everywhere hides the truth: cubicles are all about being isolated and treated as part of the building infrastructure, whatever the physical location of your chair.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. TECHWR-L (1999). Careers>Workplace>Collaboration

Considering Independence? Know Your Options

Anyone who’s ever considered working independently has probably approached this decision with caution. And no wonder: Outside the comfortable structure of full-time employment lies a seemingly chaotic and intimidating sea of new challenges.

Zaino, Gene. Certification Magazine (2003). Careers>Freelance

Consulting and Independent Contracting  

The Consulting and Independent Contracting progression will focus on both beginning and advanced topics relating to independent work. Independent work requires attention to two main areas: maintaining professional standards and practices; and building a successful contracting or consulting business. As the role of contractors and consultants continues to evolve practitioners face issues articulated in the topics below. Individual topics addressed are: choosing between contracting and consulting, marketing a business, and addressing legal issues. For those already established we look at ways to expand the consultant’s personal resource network and issues of incorporation as a growth alternative.

Barker, Thomas. STC Proceedings (2001). Careers>Freelance>Consulting

Consulting: Keeping Up in a Down Economy  

Barker explains how consultants can prepare for survival and long-term growth in the technical communication business, even in the midst of an economic downturn.

Barker, Thomas. Intercom (2003). Careers>Consulting

Consulting With Panache  

Consultants, like Life Savers®, come in flavors. Some are sweet and cloying, some area little too tart, some are bitter, some are too hot and spicy, and some like baby bear’s porridge taste just right. Clients may put up with the flavor of the month, but will he or she recommend or select it the next time around. Since referrals and repeat business are the life-blood of consulting, maintaining an excellent working relationship with a client is critical. Learning how to work with a client is the key to consulting with panache and knowing the rules helps open the door.

Burrer, Donna J., Faye Lepp and Curtis C. Stokes. STC Proceedings (1994). Careers>Consulting

A Contemporary Work Alternative: When Contracting is No Longer Something that You Do Between “Real” Jobs  

In the 90’s, contingency staffing (also called temporary staffing) has become a way of life for businesses that have had to streamline operations and reduce fixed costs in order to compete. Consequently, contract employment and independent contracting have become a way of life for many technical communicators who can’t — or prefer not to — find a full-time job.

Cheirrett, Peg A. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Freelance>Consulting

Continuing Education: The Key to Your Career  

Janicko offers suggestions for getting the most out of continuing education and argues that continual learning can bolster careers in technical communication.

Janicko, Raymond P. Intercom (2000). Careers>Education>Continuing

Contracting as a Career Alternative

The technical contracting industry provides a unique career opportunity for experienced professionals in most technical communications disciplines. It also provides a possible alternative to unemployment in view of the continuing 'down-sizing' and restructuring activity going on in today's marketplace.

Randolph, Brett W.F. Boston Broadside (1991). Careers>Consulting>Freelance

Contracting Experiences From Hell

So you've got a contract. The client seems reasonably well heeled and reliable (or you have an agency that can run interference for you). All you have to do is produce and collect, right? Not necessarily! As the following anecdotes show, having a good contract and having your professional ducks in a row are important at all stages of your client relationship.

Hilp, Robin. STC Williamette Valley (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts

Contracting: Flat Fee or Hourly Rates?  

Recommends that technical writers working as independent contractors quote flat fees for projects instead of hourly rates. The article offers tips on preparing portfolios and conducting client interviews.

Le Vie, Donald S., Jr. Intercom (2000). Careers>Freelance

Contracting: Is It For You?

In an economy that is constantly changing, many technical writers are (or have thought about being) contractors. Being your own boss certainly does have a certain cachet. But is it for you?

Turner, Gordon. STC Williamette Valley (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts

Contracting Versus Consulting: Making an Informed, Conscious Decision    

As independent or freelance technical communicators, we typically call ourselves contractors. Our clients and potential clients, however, might consider some of us contractors and others consultants, with different expectations applied to each. The differences in perception vary from one individual to the next, but you might generalize them as differences in the level of abstraction of the technical communication product with which each type of worker is engaged.

Ames, Andrea L. Technical Communication Online (2002). Careers>Consulting

Contracts 101  

Frick responds to several common questions of novice independent contractors.

Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2001). Careers>Freelance

Contracts that Don’t Bite: Contracting for Technical Writing Services in the Real World  

The presenters examine all aspects of contracting from the viewpoint of both the contractor and the employer/client. The focus will be on the contract itself which provides a clear starting point for maneuvering through the critical issues, including what constitutes a legal contract and topics a contract should cover. The ensuing discussion will cover the different ways that writers work and are paid, managing the inevitable changes to a project, and a closer look at the pros and cons of working on an hourly or term contract compared to fixed price contracts, or contracts with an upset limit.

Forsyth, Diane and Duncan A. Kent. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Freelance>Consulting

Control Your Destiny  

This paper describes the differences between an employee, an independent contractor, and a consultant and why it is important to understand these distinctions. It also mentions why it is important that independent contractors set effective goals and describes the difference between static goals and dynamic goals. An approach for taking up assignments as an independent contractor is provided. This approach describes activities that need to be done prior to starting an assignment, while working on the assignment, and after the assignment is completed.

Alexander, Susan M. STC Proceedings (2003). Careers>Freelance

Convincing the Skeptics

People unfamiliar with usability think that it's cosmetic and can be combined with other phases of development when time is available. It's often difficult to educate them, especially if they are more senior than you are and consider it a waste of time. They will not be convinced by statistics from anywhere other than outside the organization. What should you do next? You may be able to say something like 'It seems your only objection is [whatever], so if we can resolve this issue, do you have any other reasons why we shouldn't do usability testing?' This way, you have their agreement to do usability just as soon as you have resolved the issue.

Dick, David J. Usability Interface (1999). Careers>Usability>Management

Copy Editor Job Board

Jobs for Copy Editors is a free service provided to the publishing community. If you have an opening and would like to advertise it here, just complete the job form. Ads are only accepted for positions containing the words copy editor or proofreader and from organizations that identify themselves. To view current job openings visit our job board.

Copy Editor. Careers>Editing