#29064
The Technical Communicator as Corporate Spokesperson: A Public Relations Primer 
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.
Troester, Rod and Terrence L. Warburton. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2001). Careers>TC>Public Relations>Press Releases
#23425
Technical Communicators - Seen from Under a Rock
A conversation about the role, qualifications and self-understanding of technical communicators.
Johnson, Camille. TC-FORUM (2000). Careers>TC
#19612
A list of Frequently Asked Questions (along with answers) about technical illustration.
Foley, Richard. FAQs (1997). Careers>TC>Graphic Design>Technical Illustration
#15023
Technical What?: Job Prospects for BA in Languages with Computing Graduates
Technical Communication is a relatively new area within the IT industry. It has evolved in response to the expanding role of technology in people's lives. Although more and more people are working with computers, most do not have an IT qualification, and do not want to learn about the intricacies of computer programming. Instead, they want hardware and software products that are easy-to-use and a manual or online help file that will explain clearly and precisely what to do to carry out a task. The technical writer tries to write about a technical product in a simple and effective way, so that the audience can easily understand it.
Cleary, Yvonne. University of Limerick (2002). Careers>TC
#13607
The interviewee entered her prospective manager's office, eager to answer the questions that she knew would soon be fired at her. Shelley had been through this process a dozen times in the past few months as part of her quest for a technical writing position, and could anticipate the line of questioning. Far from being nervous, she was calm and confident. Phil, the manager, was also well versed in the interview process. Having hired many people during his career, he knew the type of person he was looking to hire. During an interview, his mind would usually be made up within the first few minutes about whether the candidate would get a second interview or would end up having to continue his or her search.
Zvalo, Peter. Writer's Block (2002). Careers>Interviewing>TC
#18184
Technical writers work in many fields. Scientists use technical writers in the editing of scholarly texts and journals. Pharmaceutical, aerospace, and electronics industries employ many writers. Computer-related industries use technical documentation specialists in rapidly increasing numbers. The need for technical writers is expanding due to increased use of computers, rapid advances in technology, and lots of new software products.
#10451
Have you ever found yourself putting together a bookshelf or installing software and getting frustrated because the directions included in the box are only confusing you? If you've ever felt like you could do a better job of writing the instructions, there may be a future in technical writing for you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for technical writers is expected to increase because of the continuing explosion of scientific and technical information and the need to communicate it to others.
Francisco, Lori. Entrepreneur.com (2000). Careers>TC
#19728
Technical Writing in 1993 and 2003
Ten years ago, if someone had asked me about my profession, I would have spent a good 15 minutes explaining what I did for a living. Today, ‘Technical Writing’ is answer enough. This is one notable change in my life. In the last 10 years, I have witnessed many important changes in the field of technical writing. Here are a few.
Pandit, Makarand M. Indus (2003). Careers>TC>Writing>Technical Writing
#13994
The TECHWR-L website periodically polls users' opinions about the current state of the field. Review the recent findings.
#15212
Ten Things to Do During Downtime 
Presents a list of tasks to occupy one's mind and contribute to future earnings while 'between jobs.'
Sudol, Tammy. Intercom (2000). Careers>TC
#29696
The Transformation of a Technical Communicator
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.
Ball, Valerie M. STC Proceedings (2005). Careers>TC>Community Building>STC
#23464
There Goes the Productivity...
The productivity factor is defined as the relation between the daily amount of working time spent on paid projects and the total amount of working hours. The difference is the nonproductivity in a technical writer’s life.
Thiele, Ulrich. TC-FORUM (1998). Careers>TC
#24763
Three Mind Maps for the 1990's Technical Communicator
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.
Doremus, Jean S. STC Proceedings (1994). Careers>TC>History
#14643
Tips from the Tops in Our Field
Fugate presents advice from seasoned professions for new entrepreneurs in technical communication.
Fugate, Alice E. Intercom (2000). Careers>TC
#14145
Top Five Tips for Starting a New Job
This article offers five tips that can help you get off to a good start in your new job.
Hart, Geoffrey J.S. TECHWR-L (2000). Careers>Advice>TC
#13135
Training: The Path to Certification
We can avoid much of the controversy surrounding certification when we consider it as part of a qualification process. Certification has two primary results. It provides candidates with the most effective way to achieve the required skills. It also provides us with a way to define the skills and skill levels that make us a profession. The Appraisal Institute and the American Medical Writers Association are examples of groups that offer training as part of their certification process. We can promote certification and standards within the Society and in cooperation with academic programs and industry.
DuBay, William H. STC Proceedings (2001). Careers>Certification>TC
#21264
How do we prepare for the future? How will trends affect our careers as technical communicators? Do we have the right set of skills to survive?
Hackos, JoAnn T. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>TC>History
#15220
Underutilized: What You Can Do
Describes how technical writers who feel their jobs aren't challenging enough can obtain more responsibilities.
Block, Barbara M. Intercom (2001). Careers>Workplace>TC
#24930
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.
Skinner, Judith N. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>TC
#20140
Using a Résumé to Showcase Your Talents
Demonstrates how technical communicators can create achievement-based résumés that emphasize past accomplishments and future potential.
Bailie, Rahel Anne. Intercom (2003). Careers>Resumes>TC
#29908
Using Six Sigma to Improve our Technical Review Return Rate
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.
Walker McCombs, Sylvia. STC Proceedings (2004). Careers>TC>Quality>Methods
#21268
Using Wellness Assessment in Career Planning
Wellness assessment provides a means of adding balance to our lives. When approached from an occupational perspective, wellness is a useful tool in career planning and skill assessment. A basic understanding of wellness can provide the foundation for helping technical communicators better define their career options.
Stertzbach, Lori A. and Sharlyn A. Dimick. STC Proceedings (1997). Careers>TC>Assessment
#14322
Varför Anlita Certifierade Teknikinformatörer?
Varför anlita certifierade teknikinformatörer? En uppdragsgivare som anlitar en certifierad teknikinformatör (eller tecknare, fotograf, översättare eller liknande) vet att han kan få en opartisk granskning av ett arbete som han är missnöjd med. Om granskningen utfaller till beställarens fördel kommer han med största sannolikhet att få en korrigering till stånd så a tt han blir nöjd.
#24281
Veteran Communicators Share Their War Stories
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.
Malcolm, Andrew and Carl Kirchner. STC Proceedings (1998). Careers>TC
#20137
Viral Networking: Tactics in Today's Job Market
Drakeley explains how to construct a network of job contacts that helps technical communicators spread word of their abilities through the job community.
Drakeley, Caroline A. Intercom (2003). Careers>TC
