While the field of usability has existed for decades, the number and quality of careers in the field have greatly improved in the last 10-15 years. The long-term prognosis for the industry is good: there are constant opportunities in almost every industry since new products and technology come out all the time, in usability as well as user-centered design, interaction design and user experience design.
#29048
Information Technology and Organizational Change 
The profession of technical communication is in transition. While a few might argue that we are in danger of being swallowed up by large, institutional realignments, it seems more likely that the future workplace (as characterized by Senge, among others) will put communication, culture, and collaboration at the center of work. However, in order for the profession to exploit these opportunities, we must understand the impact of integrated information technology (IT) on organizations. I summarize the interaction of corporate culture, leadership/management, human resources, and advanced networking and web-based applications (more commonly called an Intranet) for the successful integration of new IT products into an established and well-defined organization. Background research for this paper was conducted as part of an Army Summer Faculty Research and Engineering grant.
Carlson, Patricia A. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2001). Careers>Business Communication>Technology>Collaboration
#20386
Information Technology and the Emergence of a Worker-Centered Organization
Barbara Mirel's narrative highlights the interplay of profit, power, and personalities in a software engineering project. My response's purpose is to widen the perspective on the story. More specifically, I contend that information technology (IT) enables positive change in today's workplace. Rather than being techno-centric, the re-visions currently being brought about by IT will place the knowledge worker of the 21st century at the center of design and engineering considerations. I support my claim by identifying four trends in organizational management that will afford human factors and usability engineering a better seat at the table in the not too distant future. They are (1) requirements for next-generation IT applications, (2) improved understanding of culture and context in the workplace, (3) recognition of knowledge management and human capital, and (4) fostering strategic leadership beyond resource management.
Carlson, Patricia A. Journal of Computer Documentation (2000). Careers>Workplace>Technology
#22628
Informational interviewing, a.k.a. networking, is a very effective way to learn and make contacts, in not just technical writing, but any field you are considering as a career option.
Blair, Jennifer. STC West Coast Canada. Careers>Interviewing
#31533
There are crucial behaviors important people, successful executives, and true leaders use to move processes and people forward. These behaviors are the key ingredients of leadership. The more of these ingredients leaders take to heart, teach, and expect of others, the more power they will have to achieve their objectives.
Lukaszewski, James E. Communication World Bulletin (2003). Careers>Management>Business Communication
#24414
Inspections: Part of the Quality Evolution 
Inspections are apart of the rebirth of Total Quality Management directed at customer satisfaction. Although inspecting documents takes extra time and fortitude, the rewards far outweigh the investment. A formal inspection process improves the quality of documents and reduces costs over the long term. Through early defect detection, inspections have proven their value time and time again. In this workshop, we will share inspection process guidelines used at Bull Information Systems, and raise issues related to inspections.
Alicee, Audrey L. and Leigh A. Wales. STC Proceedings (1996). Careers>TC>Quality
#24602
The Interdisciplinary Rodeo: How to Wrangle Diverse Professionals Without Getting Gored
Interdisciplinary work is complicated by communication and collaboration problems. Technical communicators can serve as effective interdisciplinary team facilitators if they predict and prepare for the linguistic and political problems many interdisciplinary teams encounter. Effective preparation includes preliminary research to define key terms and identify political concerns. Interdisciplinary team facilitators must also establish their own role on the team and help other members understand the benefits and difficulties of interdisciplinary collaboration. Finally, facilitators must establish a system to archive the work of the team.
Adlin, Tamara. STC Proceedings (1996). Careers>Management
#23684
Interesting Times, Interesting Measures
We've been living in 'interesting' times, as the saying goes, and many of us feel that we've had about as much interest as we can tolerate, thank you very much. Chapter meeting attendance has been down and the popularity of technical presentations has decreased, while the popularity of career cafes and career management days has increased. In any conversation between three technical communicators, at least one is unemployed, about to be unemployed, or thinking about a career change.
Bailie, Rahel Anne. MetroVoice (2003). Careers>TC>Planning
#29578
Internships: Getting Your Foot in the Door
Through internships and other practical experiences outside of the traditional employment situation, both students and employers benefit. Students benefit by gaining some work experience that they can put on their resume and employers benefit from lower cost in workforce for a particular project. Most colleges and universities recognize internship experiences related to a student's chosen field of study for credit. These are structured experiences or contracted experiences monitored by a supervisor on the job site and from the school.
Gillis, Tamara. IABC (2006). Careers>Internships
#29579
There are four parts to any interview: Opening (small talk), information giving, information taking, and conclusion. Before you go into an interview, know your: job strengths (writing, media contacts); managerial strengths (organized); personal strengths (energetic); weaknesses.
Raperto, Marie. IABC (2006). Careers>Interviewing
#29580
When you sit down with the hiring manager, that's the point where you see if this is really what you want and they see if you are what they want. If you prepare yourself ahead of time, you'll do well. You can find a wealth of information on the Internet about interviewing. The following is a checklist of items to consider in preparing yourself, during the interview and follow up after the interview.
Young, Rich. IABC (2006). Careers>Interviewing
#24378
The Interview Process for Technical Communicators
Making a hiring decision can be one of the most important decisions made by a manager. You have a technical job to fill that requires high level skills. You also have a group dynamic and corporate culture to consider. The interview process is a set of tools and techniques for gaining information about a potential hire and making an informed decision. This workshop provides a supportive forum for learning from each other’s hiring and job hunting experiences. We also have a wealth of resources to draw upon throughout the interview process. A bibliography will be available for all participants.
Johnson, Jennifer Ramirez and Lee Anne Fernandez. STC Proceedings (1998). Careers>Interviewing
#23892
An Interview with Peter Morville and Lou Rosenfeld, Information Architects
An interview with Peter Morville and Lou Rosenfeld covering the topic of what the information architecture is, how information architecture relates to usability, and the challenges faced when constructing a successful information architecture.
Evans, Meryl K. Digital Web Magazine (2002). Careers>Information Design
#10073
Interviewing Basics Help You Focus on Content
Interviewing is an excellent primary source of information for any research project. Interviews with subject-matter experts can expose the most up-to-date information and introduce new material that may shatter your originally held ideas about a subject.
Goldberger, Dalya. Writer's Block (1997). Careers>Interviewing
#25674
Effective interviewing begins with knowing where interviewing fits within the process of finding a job.
Lund, Arnold M. HFES (1995). Careers>Interviewing
#27870
The author discusses how managers can best prepare for an interview to ensure that the perfect candidate for the job is selected. The article also includes charts that can be used to assess a candidateï¿ï¿ï¿s performance in key areas such as tool skill level, knowledge of online help, and analytical ability.
Bailey, Elizabeth. Intercom (2006). Careers>Management>Interviewing
#13310
Interviewing: What Questions Are Illegal?
Discrimination in hiring is illegal. But how do you know when an interviewer is discriminating? Our FAQ on illegal interview questions prepares you before you're in the hot seat.
#21553
Introduction to Interaction Design
I recently ran into a fellow STC member, Jennifer Square, in the elevator of a large company where I am contracting. We didn't have much time to catch up, so Jennifer e-mailed me later. Her e-mail signature contained an intriguing new job title: interaction designer. I had heard of interaction design but had never known anyone who actually did the work. I wondered what disciplines it encompassed. Was it just something that all good Web designers did anyway, unconsciously? How did it differ from information architecture? Did I do this in my job without realizing it? Was it something I could list on my résumé? In this column, I will define interaction design by comparing it to information architecture, a related field.
Leonard-Wilkinson, Theresa A. W-edge Design (2003). Careers>Web Design>Interaction Design
#25143
Introduction: Four Carrots and a Stick
We must understand that if we graduate engineering students who have a full complement of communication skills, we will better prepare them to be more effective professionals as well as highly valued citizens. Clear communcation and clear thinking are mutually reinforcing. Together they are a powerful combination that will serve well the individual, our nation and world in the exciting years ahead.
Dowell, Earl H. LLAD (1999). Careers>Collaboration>Professionalism>Engineering
#14178
The IRS' 20 Questions for Independent Contractors
Independent contractors who don't know about — or who ignore — the relevant aspects of current contractor tax law are endangering their own livelihood and pose a significant threat to their client companies. They're complex, arbitrary, and inconsistently applied, but knowing the rules can keep you and your clients safe. So here they are, in a nutshell.
Synergistech.com (2000). Careers>Freelance
#22440
Is Technical Writing a Viable Career Option?
Ever thought about what goes into creating the user manuals or instruction brochures of your music system, mobile phones or even the car maintenance guides? Most of us just manage to glance through the item, leave alone going into the technical details.
Jasrotia, Punita. IT People (2002). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing
#18480
Is Technical Writing Right For You?
Times are tight, and as a writer, maybe you find yourself looking for a new way to use your love for words in a way that generates a more steady stream of income. You come across articles and ebooks on technical writing and wonder if it may be right for you. You already know technical writers penned every owner’s manual for all the gadgets and gizmos, appliances and machines in your every day life. Did you also know they prepare reference manuals, product specifications, assembly instructions, parts lists, help screens and website text? Add to that all the mountains of information they create for businesses – employee handbooks, policy manuals, training manuals, and other documents specific to that type of business. If your only ambition is to see yourself on the NY Times Bestseller List, obviously technical writing isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you have ever had to wade through a user guide that was so vague or so far over your head that you thought I could have written a better book than this, technical writing may be worth considering.
Sommer, Diane. About.com (2003). Careers>Writing>TC
#25224
Is the Freelance Writing Life for You?
Freelancer writers tend to develop something of a superior attitude at times. Some of us feel that we are a cut above our brothers and sisters who work as employees.
Usborne, Nick. Excess Voice (2004). Careers>Freelance>Writing
#14694
Is the Independent Life for You?
Frick lists thirteen questions for people who want to know if they have the personality to succeed at self-employment.
Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2001). Careers>Freelance
#21428
Is the Internet Really Collapsing?
The sky is falling. It has been falling for about a year now, and it feels like it won’t stop falling until every business associated with the Internet is dead, dead, dead. What is happening now happens with every new explosion of technology. When the sky has finished falling, it will leave behind an industry with far fewer, but much healthier players. And then things will get better than they ever were.
Tognazzini, Bruce. Nielsen Norman Group (2001). Careers>Web Design>User Interface
#30757
Offers comprehensive advice to information professionals considering taking up self-employed freelance information consultancy. Draws attention to the risks associated with leaving the protection offered by corporate employment, alongside the benefits of empowerment through being self-employed. Emphasizes the need for prior business planning and offers advice on business name, web presence, logos, business cards, professional subscriptions, the need to have an accountant and register for value added tax, and dealings with banks and with the local Business Link. Advises against acquiring company status, joining trade groups, untargeted advertising, brochures and mailshots, and professional indemnity cover. Suggests ways of seeking work through networking with contacts, advises on the risks associated with imprecise agreements with clients, and emphasizes that the most important aspect of successful self-employment is self promotion.
Newgass, Oriole. Business Information Review (2007). Careers>Consulting>Freelance
