http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Careers/TC A listing of the most recently indexed works about Careers and TC in the field of technical communication. en-us Copyright (c) 2005-08 by the EServer. All rights reserved. tclib-editorial@eserver.org (TC Library Editorial Board) webmaster@eserver.org (Geoffrey Sauer) http://tc.eserver.org/images/newlogo.gif http://tc.eserver.org/dir/Careers/TC http://tc.eserver.org/35353.html http://tc.eserver.org/35353.html Reports on an online survey of 158 technical communication teachers who were asked about their experiences with mentoring. Finds a divergence between the academic mentor's experiences in mentoring and previously reported research on the protégée's mentoring experiences. Argues that risks are inherent in mentoring and proposes a new model that acknowledges them. http://tc.eserver.org/35296.html http://tc.eserver.org/35296.html Technical writers write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, online help documentation, operating directions and maintenance instructions. Rank: 28th best job in America. http://tc.eserver.org/35148.html http://tc.eserver.org/35148.html If you’re a college student looking to become a technical writer after you graduate, you face a formidable challenge: you can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job. Especially in a competitive job market, getting a job as a technical writer directly after you graduate — without a foundation of previous jobs, experience with a handful of tools, and an impressive portfolio — can be especially difficult. However, if you follow these seven steps, which are not easy, not something you can do overnight, you will find a job. http://tc.eserver.org/34976.html http://tc.eserver.org/34976.html Skills. For the technical communicator, skills should go beyond the tools and techniques of the trade. This blog post looks at four skills that will be of use to any technical communicator. http://tc.eserver.org/34862.html http://tc.eserver.org/34862.html Once you take an interest in technical communication and documentation you’ll quickly discover that’s it’s an “endless country,” really. There is so much to learn and track since both the market and the technology changes constantly. But this does not mean that you can learn things randomly and become a successful technical communicator. Actually there’s a better way that I call the “Learning Pyramid” which requires you establish a wide base of learning first and keep on building the upper layers on top of such a strong foundation. Each layer of this pyramid supports the more specialized layer established on top it. http://tc.eserver.org/34698.html http://tc.eserver.org/34698.html It’s often useful to look at the economic and technological pressures in other industries, to see if the trends emerging there are relevant to the technical communications/publications sector. In recent Blogs, we’ve covered the issues emerging in education, but the telecommunications industry might also provide some useful insights. http://tc.eserver.org/34434.html http://tc.eserver.org/34434.html A technical writer is a professional writer who designs, writes, creates, maintains and updates technical documentation including online help, user guidance, white papers, design specifications, system manuals and other documents. A technical writer should possess good research techniques, good sound of language and excellent writing skills. Apart from this one needs to have the following five skills. http://tc.eserver.org/34372.html http://tc.eserver.org/34372.html When a company adds or removes a job from their site, we update ours — automatically. All jobs are collected directly from company websites, not 'pay-for' job boards. http://tc.eserver.org/34345.html http://tc.eserver.org/34345.html Potsus provides twelve tips on how to maintain your mental, spiritual, professional, and physical health in order to ensure you grow and flourish in your career, instead of wither away. http://tc.eserver.org/34346.html http://tc.eserver.org/34346.html Cooper discusses her unique approach to career planning and longevity: essentially, do what you enjoy doing and find people and companies that interest you. http://tc.eserver.org/34353.html http://tc.eserver.org/34353.html “Telescoping,” or extending and adding to the range of services you provide, is one way to survive this recession, according to Frick. http://tc.eserver.org/34199.html http://tc.eserver.org/34199.html Provides a framework of experiences and skills employers call for in job postings. Shows that potential employers are seeking very technical or domain-specific knowledge from technical writers. Shows that specific technology tool skills are less important to employers than more basic technical writing skills. http://tc.eserver.org/34134.html http://tc.eserver.org/34134.html Savita Taylor talks about her journey from textile engineering to technical communication and beyond. http://tc.eserver.org/34069.html http://tc.eserver.org/34069.html Is it possible for a technical writer to switch niches and write something different? Here's an example of one person who's done just that. http://tc.eserver.org/34035.html http://tc.eserver.org/34035.html You might perhaps be considering whether to become a technical writer or not. You might be wondering: “What kind of a job technical writing is exactly and what does the future hold?” I can tell you right away that, at its most fundamental level, technical writing is safe and comfortable office work. http://tc.eserver.org/33919.html http://tc.eserver.org/33919.html The STC France Chapter has conducted several salary surveys among its members and non-members living and working in France. The most recent STC France salary survey was conducted in 2006. While these surveys cannot be considered statistically representative of the technical communication job market in France, they may be useful in exploring the value of experience, responsibilities, and skills and their influence on pay scales across the industry. http://tc.eserver.org/33623.html http://tc.eserver.org/33623.html There is no question that the software development world offers a lot of excitement and challenging work. In the area of software user assistance we are particularly challenged by having to master a wide range of disciplines. From foundation skills like writing and editing—to the coding of content—to usability testing and user interface design, we find ourselves in a profession that is difficult to define. What is it that we really do? The objective of this survey is to take a snapshot of our collective professional life in an attempt to identify what we value in our daily work as user assistance professionals. http://tc.eserver.org/33462.html http://tc.eserver.org/33462.html If you need a job, then you might look for companies that have never had a professional technical writer working for them. It may require making calls or networking with friends or former co-workers. Most companies have a ton of writing to do. Usually they put off their documentation requirements and their needs have piled up. You may also find that someone such as a regulator has confronted management about insufficient documentation and they have to put a writer to work immediately. http://tc.eserver.org/33320.html http://tc.eserver.org/33320.html Some thoughts on what it takes to effectively mentor another technical communicator. http://tc.eserver.org/33327.html http://tc.eserver.org/33327.html For those of us who communicate technical content for a living, we share many job titles, such as technical writer, information developer, technical communicator, multimedia engineer, content developer, and many others. Without one focused set of titles, how did we know this is what we wanted to do? http://tc.eserver.org/33286.html http://tc.eserver.org/33286.html A 250 page manual for a complicated product may be more difficult to write than a master’s thesis. It may require a massive amount of deductive and inductive logic, as you try to figure out how the product works. You may spend months interviewing subject matter experts, asking them hundreds of questions about how the product functions, and then hundreds more to clarify their cryptic answers. http://tc.eserver.org/33169.html http://tc.eserver.org/33169.html Thinking of a career in technical communication? This article offers one point of view on what you need to know to be successful in the field. http://tc.eserver.org/32259.html http://tc.eserver.org/32259.html Being unemployed can be very stressful and difficult—but being unemployed during a recession can be even worse. Molisani gives his tips and advice on how to weather the storm, and what steps you can take to find a job. http://tc.eserver.org/32177.html http://tc.eserver.org/32177.html This presentation will provide techniques technical communicators can use to sell themselves to prospective employers who don't understand what technical communicators can do for them. http://tc.eserver.org/32218.html http://tc.eserver.org/32218.html The emotional components of burnout are trickier to deal with. By the time they start becoming noticeable to those around us, the core issues are so deeply rooted that the feelings can be difficult to overcome: http://tc.eserver.org/32223.html http://tc.eserver.org/32223.html At first glance, technical communication (techcom) and technical marketing communication (marcom) appear to be very different genres. Where traditional techcom strives to help people use products, marcom seeks to make people realize they need products. Techcom instructs, while marcom persuades, and this distinction affects everything from the genre’s focus, to its content, and medium. http://tc.eserver.org/32226.html http://tc.eserver.org/32226.html This article is a collage of ideas and experiences from some people who’ve made the leap from writer to manager. Although it’s not a step-by-step guideline, it provides some compelling insight as to what individuals might expect as they transition into the management ranks. Even if you are an experienced manager, you might find these ideas helpful. http://tc.eserver.org/32160.html http://tc.eserver.org/32160.html Drawing on data drawn from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics (OES), the Salary Database provides more reliable data collected at a much finer level of detail than was possible with STC’s old survey. http://tc.eserver.org/32125.html http://tc.eserver.org/32125.html Since you pay taxes in the United States, keep in mind that STC dues are tax deductible. Please note, however, that dues must be deducted from the tax return filed for the year in which they were paid. In other words, dues paid in 2005 may be deducted only from 2005 tax returns. Therefore, if you paid your 2006 dues on or before December 31, 2005, these dues can be deducted only from your 2005 return. http://tc.eserver.org/31884.html http://tc.eserver.org/31884.html Whether you’re a full timer or a contractor, you’ll eventually part ways with an employer. When you step out the door for the last time, what will you leave in your wake? A mess, or a way for your co-workers or replacement to quickly pick up where you left off? http://tc.eserver.org/31796.html http://tc.eserver.org/31796.html For some, going freelance seems like an all-or-nothing proposition: you either have to jump in with both feet or not try at all. This blog post argues another way: gradually transition to full-time freelancing. http://tc.eserver.org/31775.html http://tc.eserver.org/31775.html Technical writing exists to communicate and disseminate technical information. And it's clearly a different animal from some other kinds of writing…say screenwriting. http://tc.eserver.org/31744.html http://tc.eserver.org/31744.html If you work in the information technology industry, for instance, especially in the software industry, chances are you are accustomed to having the same days off from work as everyone else: bank, religious, and national holidays—and, if you are creative about your planning—vacation days that you take before and after these holidays to create an extended break, usually coinciding with times others in your life are also away from work and school. But, the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model will likely change all that. And, the changes don’t bode well for family vacations or extended holidays with your sweetheart. http://tc.eserver.org/31711.html http://tc.eserver.org/31711.html When you finally get the approval to hire a contract technical writer you'll want to go about it the right way in order to avoid problems and ensure success. This article provides insight on what you need to do before you start looking for a contract technical writing professional and how to go about finding one suitable for your project. http://tc.eserver.org/31728.html http://tc.eserver.org/31728.html 'Lone writers' — those people who work as their employer’s only staff writers — are a different breed, with their own unique set of professional and personal challenges. At the same time a blessing and a curse, the lone writer life offers flexibility, variety, and autonomy, along with feelings of stress, isolation, and burnout. http://tc.eserver.org/31716.html http://tc.eserver.org/31716.html At first glance, technical communication (techcom) and technical marketing communication (marcom) appear to be very different genres. Where traditional techcom strives to help people use products, marcom seeks to make people realize they need products. http://tc.eserver.org/31717.html http://tc.eserver.org/31717.html This article is a collage of ideas and experiences from some people who've made the leap from writer to manager. Although it's not a step-by-step guideline, it provides some compelling insight as to what individuals might expect as they transition into the management ranks. Even if you are an experienced manager, you might find these ideas helpful. http://tc.eserver.org/31723.html http://tc.eserver.org/31723.html Technical communication managers are often required to prove the worth of their deliverables over and over again. To do this, managers must execute two tasks persistently. First, they must prove the value of documentation to those interested in the bottom line and, second, they must make that value true. The trick to increasing value with internal and external users is to identify areas where documentation can save time and money, to create agreement that the documentation can save time and money, and to ensure that the documentation does save time and money. Find out how. http://tc.eserver.org/31698.html http://tc.eserver.org/31698.html Contrary to what many assume, working as a technical writer involves much more than sitting alone at your PC. The job requires plenty of contact with technical professionals, from programmers and project managers to machine operators and medical technicians. Solitary? Not quite. Collaborative? Most definitely. http://tc.eserver.org/31668.html http://tc.eserver.org/31668.html A collection of posts about current opportunities for professional and technical communicators. http://tc.eserver.org/31655.html http://tc.eserver.org/31655.html Most professional writing jobs still require a college degree either in the liberal arts with a preference for Communications, Journalism, and English. Competition is expected to be less for lower paying, entry-level jobs. Writers who fail to gain better paying jobs usually can transfer readily to communications-related jobs in other occupations. http://tc.eserver.org/31570.html http://tc.eserver.org/31570.html Who wrote the installation manual for your car stereo? Who created the brochure to market your cell phone? Who designed the help menu on your favorite word processor? Highly skilled professionals called "technical communicators" produce all of these items. What does a career in technical communication have to offer? Here are some things you can count on. http://tc.eserver.org/30835.html http://tc.eserver.org/30835.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/30837.html http://tc.eserver.org/30837.html Het vakgebied technische communicatie bestaat eigenlijk al veel langer dan vaak wordt gedacht. Al in 1974 introduceerde Jan Veering, destijds lector aan de Technische Hogeschool Delft, dit vakgebied in het weekblad Intermediair, onder de titel - Technisch schrijven: een boeiend en verantwoordelijk beroep'. Toen reeds signaleerde hij dat dit vakgebied een zelfstandige professie aan het worden was, en niet zomaar een aspect van het werk van een ingenieur, wetenschapper of technicus. In de tijd die daarop volgde heeft deze professionalisering zich sterk doorgezet, waarbij het niet alleen ging over communicatie over techniek, maar vooral ook over communicatie over het gebruik en de toepassing van technische producten of systemen, en zelfs over communicatie van organisaties die technische producten, diensten of systemen produceren. http://tc.eserver.org/30779.html http://tc.eserver.org/30779.html Learn specific steps technical communicators can take to respond to the commoditization of technical tasks. http://tc.eserver.org/30624.html http://tc.eserver.org/30624.html After completing a short checklist to identify their career stage, participants break into groups with individuals in the same career stage. Participants then have the opportunity to examine multiple perspectives, share concerns, identify issues, obtain peer feedback and identify short- and long-term goals associated with their career stage. An understanding of one's current career state is the starting point for managing a career. Through self-assessment, peer interaction, and guided discussion, this interactive session will allow participants a chance to reflect on their career directions. http://tc.eserver.org/30351.html http://tc.eserver.org/30351.html The emergence of the web has accelerated the convergence of marketing communications, training, and technical communication. Marketing communicators are increasingly producing users' guides, trainers are producing wizards and marketing materials. Technical communicators are producing tutorials and pre-sales literature. http://tc.eserver.org/30252.html http://tc.eserver.org/30252.html Two seasoned technical communicators discuss the elements of 'growing their jobs,' using successes and lessons learned to offer practical suggestions for getting in, moving up, and staying put if the company downsizes. http://tc.eserver.org/30182.html http://tc.eserver.org/30182.html Historically, the only career path communicators had was into management. Today, other options are available such as human factors specialists, usability specialists, instructional designers, and multi-media designers. Understanding the manager S role is key before focusing on that path. Unfortunately, too many communicators take the management path and decide it's not for them. When this happens, it may be too late to refocus on other career options in the ever-changing technological environment. http://tc.eserver.org/30126.html http://tc.eserver.org/30126.html The technical publications group of The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory was restructured to eliminate the traditional hierarchical organization in favor of multiple concurrent work teams. Every job is assigned to a work team, and people usually are on several teams at once, as leaders of some teams and members of others. We present two case studies describing teams that operated very differently. The teaming system allows us to tailor the approach to the needs of different clients. http://tc.eserver.org/30063.html http://tc.eserver.org/30063.html While we understand how BLS could have stuck with the term 'technical writing' for so long, it's time to change this policy. To that end, STC proposes that the Standard Occupational Classification 27-3042, Technical Writer be replaced with 27-3044, Technical Communicator. http://tc.eserver.org/30003.html http://tc.eserver.org/30003.html The need for TCs with traditional writing skills will remain fairly stable, but the need for TCs in total will grow. The new technical communicators will come from the world of game design, where they know all about 3D-vector animation, and they will come from the world of TV and video production. http://tc.eserver.org/30004.html http://tc.eserver.org/30004.html If you have the stomach for it, technical writing can be the path to a full-time writing career. I did it for three years before switching to general business writing, which offers more variety. If you decide to go technical, be sure to keep reading the work of authors you admire so your day job doesn't make you forget everything you ever knew about 'real' writing. http://tc.eserver.org/29993.html http://tc.eserver.org/29993.html During March and April 2003, Cherryleaf, in conjunction with HyperWrite, carried out a survey into the current trends in technical communication. We have been analysing the findings, and here is a summary of the results. http://tc.eserver.org/29938.html http://tc.eserver.org/29938.html In this column, we are going to talk about why some technical communicators just plain hate their jobs. The bottom line is not to just stay in that unhappy place. Make up your mind to do something about it. Make your job into what you want it to be. http://tc.eserver.org/29908.html http://tc.eserver.org/29908.html This is a brief overview of Six Sigma principles and an introduction to basic methods used in a Green Belt project in a technical publications department. This Green Belt project addressed the impact of declining return rates of technical reviews to both quality and cost. The author explains how the project originated and which Six Sigma methods were selected and implemented. She will review several examples of methods used to identify feasible solutions. The intended results of this project are to increase the return rate and, more importantly, to improve documentation quality and greatly reduce the department's cost of rework. http://tc.eserver.org/29773.html http://tc.eserver.org/29773.html Like most other business owners, technical communicators may, from time to time, have legal exposure for their actions and mistakes. Errors and omissions insurance is one way to manage the risks the associated with operating a business and while it may not be the best solution for everyone, it's worth considering whether the benefits of this of insurance coverage outweighs the costs. http://tc.eserver.org/29782.html http://tc.eserver.org/29782.html The information age provides great opportunity--and threat--to technical communicators. By understanding more about the general domain--specifically the relationship between communication and information design--we have the opportunity to become valued business partners to our employers and clients. http://tc.eserver.org/29783.html http://tc.eserver.org/29783.html Two members of the management team from LSI Logic Storage Systems' Technical Publications Department review how their team developed a vision statement and an information product development process based on that vision statement. The workshop provides participants opportunities to learn about the value of vision statements and production processes as well as to begin developing these materials for their own organizations. Participants will also share ideas on how to maintain process integrity through customer focus, team feedback on product and process quality, and strategic continuous improvement. Participants will receive materials that enable them to draft their own vision statements, information product development processes, and continuous improvement team operating practices. http://tc.eserver.org/29741.html http://tc.eserver.org/29741.html Many organizations document job-oriented expectations for their employees and tend to leave behavior-based performance criteria to the individual managers. Or, they may lump so many different jobs into a single performance criteria definition that that definition becomes meaningless for any individual group. In this paper we will discuss the difference between job-oriented expectations and behavior-based performance expectations. We will describe the process we used to create our performance expectations and will show some examples. http://tc.eserver.org/29743.html http://tc.eserver.org/29743.html For many practitioners, technical communication can--and should--be the springboard for a different career. Many technical writers and editors have made transitions to related disciplines from which they can influence industry and academia. They now have titles such as marketing and web content writer, usability lab manager, product marketing manager, business operations strategist, and more. This paper summarizes the career evolutions of the author and several colleagues in technical communication, and provides advice to help readers broaden their career horizons. http://tc.eserver.org/29653.html http://tc.eserver.org/29653.html Every technical communicator must develop a set of management skills appropriate to the task in order to excel as the leader of the communication team. This calls for multiple skills including being part diplomat, part technical expert, part salesman, and part turtle. http://tc.eserver.org/29863.html http://tc.eserver.org/29863.html Every technical communicator, whether controlling a single large project or a dozen small ones, must develop a set of management skills appropriate to the task in order to remain a qualified member of the communication team. This calls for being part diplomat, part technical expert, part salesman, and part rhinoceros. http://tc.eserver.org/29663.html http://tc.eserver.org/29663.html This paper presents a case study of a technical publications department that tested the practicality of JoAnn Hackos’ process maturity model for a small team that experienced both resource cuts and increased workload pressures. The process of initial evaluation in terms of the model helped to identify management goals and actions that increased process maturity. The positive outcomes included both high quality, innovative work and also better structures for worker creativity, productivity, and satisfaction. This success story demonstrates the potential of the model and recommends it for consideration, even by publications groups facing critical challenges. http://tc.eserver.org/29866.html http://tc.eserver.org/29866.html Is there a need for technical communication as a profession in China? This research aimed at answering the question through two surveys--one on the practice of technical communication in industries in China and the other on the opinions from users of technical documents. The survey results showed that there are problem areas that need to be addressed by professional technical communicators. http://tc.eserver.org/29669.html http://tc.eserver.org/29669.html As communicators, we call ourselves writers, authors, designers, graphic artists, multimedia developers, editors, formatters, information developers, and a number of other labels. Whatever it is we call ourselves, the most important part of our profession involves gathering and making information available to people who need it in a form they can use. This paper discusses some of the latest business buzz and strategy in a simple, straightforward way. It explains how some business trends affect technical communications in particular, and offers advice on how to survive in today's budding information economy as a technical communicator. http://tc.eserver.org/29671.html http://tc.eserver.org/29671.html A portfolio is a technical communicator's most important marketing tool. It showcases talents and abilities while giving prospective employers or clients an opportunity to learn about the candidate's skills and career direction. Often, communicators either do not have a portfolio or have not presented their works in the best possible manner. Professional portfolios are as indispensable as a resume. As the focus of technical communication expands, the need for multiple media to present a communicator's work is inevitable. Rather than a portfolio, multiple portfolios--in hard and electronic--formats are necessary to successfully portray your skills and career direction. http://tc.eserver.org/29696.html http://tc.eserver.org/29696.html Transformation is part of human evolution, so it is natural that STC is transforming itself through the 'Transformation Initiative.' Similarly, STC members as technical communicators need to transform themselves, or they will no longer be viable in a changing and evolving world. Part of STC's method for the Transformation Initiative, to rely upon internal communities to expedite solutions, is the same method that technical communicators can use to re-create their own niches or move to others. Individual technical communicators are hosts within themselves to a myriad of talents and strengths, with each talent and strength serving as a community. Individually, then, communicators should apply all of their personal communities to themselves. http://tc.eserver.org/29466.html http://tc.eserver.org/29466.html Discusses Michael E. Gerber's The E-Myth Revisited, a book that has led her to rethink her business and her approach to some key tasks. http://tc.eserver.org/29205.html http://tc.eserver.org/29205.html Analysis of the academic job market in 2002-2003 reveals that 118 nationally advertised academic jobs named technical or professional communication as a primary or secondary specialization. Of the 56 in the "primary" category that we were able to contact, we identified 42 jobs filled, 10 unfilled, and 4 pending. However, only 29% of the jobs for which technical or professional communication was the primary specialization were filled by people with degrees in the field, and an even lower percent (25%) of all jobs, whether advertised for a primary or secondary specialization, were filled by people with degrees in the field. Search chairs report a higher priority on teaching and research potential than on a particular research specialization, and 62% of all filled positions involve teaching in related areas (composition, literature, or other writing courses). http://tc.eserver.org/29216.html http://tc.eserver.org/29216.html The debate over certification of technical and professional communicators has occurred with periods of relative intensity and quiescence for more than twenty years. This article surveys the historical developments of the debate; describes the arguments for and against certification; surveys technical communication curricula and theoretical arguments for literacies, standards, and competencies; and examines various efforts to study certification, including a description of published documents regarding certification. http://tc.eserver.org/29024.html http://tc.eserver.org/29024.html Despite claims for at least the past quarter century of mature professional status for the field of technical communication, studies in the history and sociology of the professions provide criteria that suggest we are not yet truly a profession. This article reviews economic, sociopolitical, and ideological factors that characterize the modern professions and argues that the technical communication field, at best, only partially meets the criteria. The prospects for professional status of technical communication might be improved by developing a critical consciousness of the processes of professionalization and concertedly acting in ways that facilitate those processes. http://tc.eserver.org/29064.html http://tc.eserver.org/29064.html A survey of CEOs, corporate spokespersons, and media representatives suggests that the evolving roles and responsibilities of corporate spokes-persons may result in greater opportunities for technical communicators in corporate public relations. However, these opportunities require communication principles and skills that have not traditionally played a strong role in technical communication education. This essay discusses these requisite considerations so they can be more explicitly addressed in the contemporary technical communication curriculum. http://tc.eserver.org/28940.html http://tc.eserver.org/28940.html What do you want to be when you grow up? Some people think there is only one choice, but Christina Wodtke shows us that there are as many choices as there are people making them. http://tc.eserver.org/28879.html http://tc.eserver.org/28879.html It takes a critical mass of sheep to get any new professional certification off the ground, earnest people who'll throw their weight and reputations behind it, self-selected true believers. http://tc.eserver.org/28863.html http://tc.eserver.org/28863.html In the nineties, if an employer took one glance at your résumé and started to fall in love with you, it probably had a lot to do with your long list of software tool skills. Nowadays, most employers couldn't care less about tools. It's all about industry experience. http://tc.eserver.org/28861.html http://tc.eserver.org/28861.html When faced with the reality of the thrashing our industry has taken over the past few years, should you feel any less optimistic about your future? Not a bit. In fact, today there are more reasons for technical communicators to be optimistic about their prospects for continued employment than there have been since December 2000. http://tc.eserver.org/28864.html http://tc.eserver.org/28864.html You sit in your favorite comfy chair and open the Sunday newspaper. The economy is steadily improving. Good. Unemployment rates are down. Nice. You've seen all the data. You've read the reports. So, where are all the jobs? http://tc.eserver.org/28751.html http://tc.eserver.org/28751.html A mentoring program encourages employees; can target potential managers and specific employees who need assistance; facilitates implementation of corporate strategies; requires a coordinator to administer the program, usually a person found within HR who spends no more than 1 day per week on mentoring activities. http://tc.eserver.org/28557.html http://tc.eserver.org/28557.html As technical publications groups are finding themselves thrust upon the main stage of the global economy, they face new demands such as reconstituting themselves internally and resituating themselves in their wider organizations. Read on for ideas about how to incorporate content management (CM) into the process. http://tc.eserver.org/28555.html http://tc.eserver.org/28555.html In today's shrinking global marketplace, many technical communicators face challenges related to intercultural communication. This article examines ethical issues in intercultural communication, beginning with a brief survey of classical ethical models, then focusing on the guidelines for ethical communication developed by Allen and Voss to provide a framework for discussion. Of Allen and Voss's 10 values for ethical communication, we focus on privacy, legality, teamwork, social responsibility, and cultural sensitivity. We offer specific suggestions for avoiding stereotyping, tokenism, and ethnocentrism in technical documentation, including before-and-after examples. We examine the risks involved in using graphics and icons and in attempting to translate idiomatic usages. The article concludes with guidelines for technical communicators preparing documentation for international audiences and with suggestions for managers who wish to give their employees guidance regarding ethical and effective intercultural communication. http://tc.eserver.org/28369.html http://tc.eserver.org/28369.html It's not easy to find rewarding work. Hart describes three steps you can take to help the process go more smoothly when searching for that new job. http://tc.eserver.org/28188.html http://tc.eserver.org/28188.html Every technical writer should have strong writing skills. Just as important, in my judgment, is a keen sense of technical curiosity. As a hiring manager, I look for it in every job applicant I interview. If you do not have this sense naturally, you can develop it. http://tc.eserver.org/28170.html http://tc.eserver.org/28170.html To save yourself heartache, introduce the accounting department to the idea of measuring the total value returned minus the cost of documentation. After all, if the accounting department understands one thing, it's saving (or attempting to) save money. If you can show them that, yes, you did do fewer pages, but it saved three days of your time and managerial review, four thousand dollars in printing, and many hours of customer service dealing with disgruntled users, the department may be more understanding. http://tc.eserver.org/28174.html http://tc.eserver.org/28174.html Traditionally, contractors have played an important role in the technical writing field by providing specific expertise, thereby allowing companies to focus on their core competencies. Contactors have made it possible for companies to add temporary personnel when needed ' an important benefit in a field where work output peaks periodically. http://tc.eserver.org/28182.html http://tc.eserver.org/28182.html A collection of job postings to answer the needs of information-development managers around the world. http://tc.eserver.org/28175.html http://tc.eserver.org/28175.html The arrival of summer means hot weather. What are you doing this summer to help keep your professional skills hot and to nurture your career? Our chapter can help you by offering networking, mentoring, publishing and speaking opportunities, and ways to acquire new skills. http://tc.eserver.org/28106.html http://tc.eserver.org/28106.html STC's Technical Communication Career Center (TC3) is a place for technical communicators and their potential employers to find each other. STC members have free access to the job seeker portion of the website. http://tc.eserver.org/28105.html http://tc.eserver.org/28105.html When it comes to their future, however, some professionals seem willing to take drastic risks. Oddly enough, some technical communicators spend more time thinking about the pros and cons of the serial comma than they do about their own careers. When we fail to engage in a passionate pursuit of information about the trends in our industry, we bury our heads in the sand and blindly roll the dice regarding our future prosperity. http://tc.eserver.org/27276.html http://tc.eserver.org/27276.html The author discusses considerations in deciding whether to work abroad or not. Outlines possible goals and objectives as well as contract and visa issues. http://tc.eserver.org/26670.html http://tc.eserver.org/26670.html To better understand the Rocky Mountain region’s technical communication market, the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication surveyed its members in December 2003. We received a 34 percent response rate (down from a 52% response rate in 2001). This online survey was the first of its kind for STC RMC. In this report, we profile our representative members and summarize independent contractor responses. Results reported as 'employed' are respondents that are employed but are not independent freelancers. http://tc.eserver.org/26617.html http://tc.eserver.org/26617.html Beware the need for a vacation when the normally exciting and always rewarding nature of your technical writing job begins to lead you astray. http://tc.eserver.org/26616.html http://tc.eserver.org/26616.html Responses from an inquiry about the type of writer most likely to do well in a start-up environment and what management needs to do to keep those people committed and dedicated for the long-term. http://tc.eserver.org/25984.html http://tc.eserver.org/25984.html This article explores the work habits of technical writers in different regions of the world. The article is based on a a survey and publishes the results based on the responses of 900+ technical writers worldwide. http://tc.eserver.org/25317.html http://tc.eserver.org/25317.html A sure way to find new work opportunities is to expand the range of skills you offer your employer or clients. http://tc.eserver.org/25266.html http://tc.eserver.org/25266.html The Society for Technical Communication recently surveyed its members regarding their current salaries and benefits. The questionnaire was Web-based, and STC sent invitations to more than 12,500 technical communicators. More than 2,000 questionnaires were completed, for a response rate of 16 percent. http://tc.eserver.org/25265.html http://tc.eserver.org/25265.html Documentation teams often struggle to prove their ROI in the absence of any established metrics for measuring it. Understand the value of good documentation. http://tc.eserver.org/25124.html http://tc.eserver.org/25124.html What to expect as a lone writer. http://tc.eserver.org/25028.html http://tc.eserver.org/25028.html Since government agencies deal with all audiences represented in the population, a variety of communication strategies must be used. One example from work at the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory serves to illustrate this point in reaching out to communicate environmental issues. In this example, interpersonal, community, mass media, and print communication all serve a vital role in building a constituency around one environmental issue. http://tc.eserver.org/25027.html http://tc.eserver.org/25027.html Technical communicators with less than 3 years of experience face a special challenge: not only must they continue to assimilate technological change at a dizzying rate, but they must begin to effectively chart a course towards professional growth. Having established (or having faith in) their ability to survive in the profession, new and intermediate writers, editors, and illustrators must move beyond survival and begin to pursue success. This 90-minute workshop is based on the premise that it’s not enough to be a good writer with a strong technical background. You must posses multi-disciplinary skills to excel as a technical communicator and as a business person focused on the value you bring to your company. http://tc.eserver.org/24946.html http://tc.eserver.org/24946.html Online documentation... usability testing... multimedia—new tools and processes to support these and other technologies flood the technical communications field. All technical communicators face the challenge of keeping up with these developments. Freelancers, however, face a special challenge: they must be prepared to use any technology and must provide their own training. In this panel, four experienced freelancers discuss proven solutions to the professional development challenge. http://tc.eserver.org/24945.html http://tc.eserver.org/24945.html We as Technical Communicators must take more control over our careers. This session provides a quiz to rate career management progress and then offers practical suggestions, specifically for to the Technical Communicator to manage a career effectively. Topics such as career plans, networking, increasing professional visibility and contact tracking tools are discussed. Activity includes writing a career plan. http://tc.eserver.org/24944.html http://tc.eserver.org/24944.html STC Employment Information Committees provide information to employers and job seekers in a variety of ways. They help job seekers with job hunting skills and resume writing. They enable job seekers to register their names with job banks and to receive job postings. They enable employers to list job postings and to receive names of job seekers. Many different methods are used to provide this information: newsletter articles, resume seminars, job fairs and workshops, job-seeking counseling, networking at meetings, resume banks, job listings, job phone lines, electronic bulletin boards, and e-mail listings. http://tc.eserver.org/24943.html http://tc.eserver.org/24943.html This panel discussion summarizes various methods of distributing employment information to chapter members, including necessary equipment, advantages and disadvantages, and helpful hints for each method. http://tc.eserver.org/24927.html http://tc.eserver.org/24927.html This panel presents three different perspectives on change: Several forces are converging to change the field of technical communication; panelist predicts some of the skills needed to survive those changes. Panelist examines the toll that change exacts on the individual and suggests personal and professional strategies for managing that change. Panelist demonstrates that, in a tight economic market, technical communicators can learn to substitute the concept of a “portfolio careerâ€Ω for the traditional career ladder. http://tc.eserver.org/24928.html http://tc.eserver.org/24928.html Technical communicators with less than 3 years of experience face a special challenge: not only must they continue to assimilate technological change at a dizzying rate, but they must begin to effectively chart a course toward professional growth. Having established (or having faith in) their ability to survive in the profession, new and intermediate communicators must move beyond survival and begin to pursue success. This three-hour workshop is based on the premise that it's not enough to be a good writer with a strong technical background. You must possess multi-disciplinary skills to excel as a technical communicator and as a business person focused on the value you bring to your company. http://tc.eserver.org/24929.html http://tc.eserver.org/24929.html Managers of four of the Society's professional interest committees (PICs) launch discussions of what the new STC ethics guidelines mean to the areas of professional practice their PICs represent: Marketing, Scientific Communication, International Technical Communication, and Consulting and Independent Contracting. http://tc.eserver.org/24930.html http://tc.eserver.org/24930.html Achieving a balance between one's work life and personal life is not just a 'nice to have.' As more demands are placed upon us, we must be able to achieve balance, to attain a sense of perspective, in our lives. Employers, including you Ifyou are selfemployed, are interested not only in your getting the job done and remaining mentally and physically healthy, they also want you to help them stay alive in a very competitive world. It IS your responsibility to find a way to maintain the balance that is necessary to remain professionally and personally vital. http://tc.eserver.org/24883.html http://tc.eserver.org/24883.html The Professional Development stem emphasizes the growth of technical communicators as individuals, leaders, and team members. This emphasis includes the skills needed to plan and achieve career objectives, aid personal growth, enhance professional development, and succeed in leadership and management roles within the chapter and Society. http://tc.eserver.org/24866.html http://tc.eserver.org/24866.html Appraisals based on objective performance criteria identify and measure the abilities and contributions of technical communicators. This workshop explores how to develop effective performance criteria, specific to technical communication, and how to use these criteria to evaluate performance and foster professional growth and development. http://tc.eserver.org/24763.html http://tc.eserver.org/24763.html New ways of using organizational theory, communications techniques, and project life cycle concepts can empower the knowledge worker of the 1990's. Today's Technical Writer needs new strategies for increased productivity and profitability in order to remain in the mainstream. Mind mapping is discussed, and three illustrative examples receive a new spin. A workbook is provided for notetaking. http://tc.eserver.org/24429.html http://tc.eserver.org/24429.html This paper documents the beginnings of an effort to increase the diversity of technical communicators in the Pacific Northwest. An ad hoc committee of technical communicators came together for this purpose because they believe that greater diversity will help technical communicators better understand and reach audiences from a wide variety of ethnic and racial backgrounds. The committee is using the STC International Student Technical Writing Competition as a tool for introducing technical communication as a career choice to people of color at the high school level. http://tc.eserver.org/24414.html http://tc.eserver.org/24414.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/24409.html http://tc.eserver.org/24409.html As we face an uncertain tomorrow full of challenges for our profession and our world, we should consider what ways to identify opportunities, what emerging trends will affect global businesses, and what new skills must be learned to make us more effective in a brave new world set spiraling in response to technological breakthroughs. Our theme, 'Imagination, Innovation, Communication,' captures the essence of what we do: transform ideas and innovations into a myriad of communication possibilities from technical manuals to virtual Web sites. The theme suggests a successful process with you at the center as an information juggernaut who must make critical choices as you approach a new millennium. http://tc.eserver.org/24391.html http://tc.eserver.org/24391.html Establishing and maintaining good relationships with internal customers is essential for technical writers. In our case, engineers are our internal customers and managing professional relationships with them can be challenging. At Rockwell Software, writers are matrixed into engineering organizations. This diffuses technical writing’s presence, but it gives us access to information we might not have if we were in a separate department. Given this organization, we have found that establishing personal relationships with engineers before focusing on work helps ensure our success. Finally, usability testing serves as a place where engineers and writers can focus on the success of their product as a whole. http://tc.eserver.org/24312.html http://tc.eserver.org/24312.html Organizations are changing their model of employment. The current trend is toward one comprised of a small, highly leveraged, multi-skilled internal staff complemented by an external staff of independent contractors. The Information Age is in its twilight, giving rise to the Age of Knowledge. The Internet has made us all members of a potential virtual workplace, and Web careers abound for technical writers. http://tc.eserver.org/24281.html http://tc.eserver.org/24281.html Ten to twenty long-time members of the Society share their stories of problems in technical publishing from their collective storehouse of experience. Their experiences come from virtually every major industry, many minor industries, the military and academia. Each speaker in just two minutes will tell of his or her most excruciating experience in publishing a wide range of documents on paper and in electronic form. Some tales mirror the audience’s frustrating experiences with customers, suppliers, fellow employees and supervisors; while others will relate stories of humor and fortuitous circumstances. http://tc.eserver.org/24265.html http://tc.eserver.org/24265.html Summarizes a discussion about offshoring held at the Philadelphia Metro chapter's annual conference during which panelists suggested ways that technical communicators based in the United States can make their positions more secure. http://tc.eserver.org/23735.html http://tc.eserver.org/23735.html Every technical communicator, whether controlling a single large project or a dozen small ones, must develop a set of management skills appropriate to the task in order to remain a qualified member of the communication team. This calls for being part diplomat, part technical expert, part salesman, and part rhinoceros. http://tc.eserver.org/23699.html http://tc.eserver.org/23699.html With the economic crunch affecting the workplace, many of us are being asked to perform additional tasks while facing the same tight deadlines. Dealing with this stress sometimes makes me feel bogged down and stuck in a cycle of drudgery. http://tc.eserver.org/23684.html http://tc.eserver.org/23684.html 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. http://tc.eserver.org/23703.html http://tc.eserver.org/23703.html What happened to the days where we didn't have to put in any effort to look for a job, recruiters were calling nonstop, and offers were being thrown at us on what seemed a regular basis? What happened to 10 jobs for every resume? What happened to big sign-on bonuses, large paychecks, and the feeling of being wanted? Have the tables turned? http://tc.eserver.org/23657.html http://tc.eserver.org/23657.html Recent fluctuations in the technical communication job market prompted this examination of trends that are likely to affect our careers. STC and other professional organizations’ publications describe how we can increase the value of our profession by embracing new skills and new technologies, but they rarely examine the larger environment in which these skills and technologies might be applied. For that, the researchers examined futurist publications and more general news sources. As well, they continue to survey technical communication professionals about their past, present, and future work. This paper reveals the initial findings of the research. http://tc.eserver.org/23608.html http://tc.eserver.org/23608.html If you're having difficulty as a technical communicator finding the right career advancement path, then you're not alone; many technical communicators struggle with the problem of controlling their careers. It sometimes appears easier to let others make decisions about where, for whom, on what and how you work. Technical communicators often go 'where the work is' rather than assess the dynamics of the marketplace and determine where they can add the most value. The reality is that you have the power to control your own career and that you can make conscious decisions, build a plan based on those decisions and implement that plan. As a technical communicator, you can use the same skill set that entrepreneurs use to take advantage of the marketplace and to create the career opportunities that you want. http://tc.eserver.org/23613.html http://tc.eserver.org/23613.html To attain your career goals, you cannot simply go to work and perform the assigned projects, allowing your manager direct your professional path for you. You must treat your working life much like you treat a documentation project and be deliberate. Take charge of your progress by volunteering to complete projects that challenge and advance your capabilities. Plan and prepare for challenging opportunities that provide you with new work experiences; identify and execute tasks that advance your skills, knowledge, and abilities; and evaluate your career development, results, and your accomplishments with each enterprise you complete. http://tc.eserver.org/23541.html http://tc.eserver.org/23541.html Professionals do not have to leave career progression to fate. Chart a career course that will bring personal achievement and satisfaction. A five-year career plan is a road map that allows for progress tracking, and development of solutions or alternate courses of action. Develop this action plan through self-assessment, and examination of the present and future. Consider several factors during career plan development and update the plan on a yearly basis. Use the written plan as a career guide and self-evaluation tool. http://tc.eserver.org/23546.html http://tc.eserver.org/23546.html The need for excellent technical communication has pervaded almost every nook and cranny of business, industry and government. As computers have become as common as telephones and typewriters, the ability to use them is almost assumed. Now a new, more pervasive need is appearing - the need to know about the business and application. Technical communicators are being called upon to have knowledge of and familiarity with the terms and practices of specific industries. http://tc.eserver.org/23527.html http://tc.eserver.org/23527.html A competitive market demands job seekers do more than just send out resumes. Portfolios showcasing your work can help sell you to potential employers before, during and after interviews. How many people here have a paper portfolio? How many have an online portfolio?