1.RACHEL HOUGHTON ANDBETHANY BOWLESCareers in TechnicalCommunication for English MajorsPresentation for the Sigma Tau Delta International ConferenceMarch 21, 2013

2. Agenda Technical communication Skills Disciplines Career opportunities Paths to careers in tech comm Society for Technical Communication Values Benefits of membership 3. Technical Communication is Communicating about technical or specialized topics interms the layperson can understand Communicating by using technology, includingemerging new media Providing instructions about how to do something 4. Skills Core skills in writing and editing Creative page design Photography and videography Technical illustration International communication: Global English for non-native-English speakers and for translation Training and education Web and IT skills 5. Creativity Visual design Photo Video Technical illustration 6. WritingTech writing? Yccch! Bor-r-r-r-ing!Not so. The days of Tina theBrittle Technical Communicatorin Dilbert are gone! Newtechnologies bring newexcitement in exercisingtraditional skills. 7. Linguistics and International CommunicationSource: http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/Dec12/LinguisticsOutreach.html 8. Education and Training Training is much morethan manuals! Online rhetoric Tutorials Web-based instruction Textbooks New media 9. Rhetorical (Audience) Analysis The basic principles of rhetoric apply to business communicationas well as to literature and the arts:o Research your marketo Know your readers/viewers 10. Collaboration Teamwork is critical in technical communication Collaborative writing is the norm in the field Your communication skills also posture you well forleadership in collaborative teams in the workplace 11. Web/IT Skills Opportunities for bothanalytical and creativetechnical writing andmarketing communication Web site content anddesign Blogs Wikis Social media IT expertise forcollaborative writingenvironments 12. Disciplines Technical writing and editing Hardware and software documentation Technical marketing communication (e.g., proposals, brochures) Scientific writing (and ghost writing) Medical writing Grant proposals Web design Usability and accessibility Indexing Information/knowledge management Instructional design 13. Interdisciplinary ApproachAn interdisciplinary approach is essential tosuccessful technical communication, because theprofession spans so many disciplines. 14. Tech Writing/Editing Hardware and software documentation Policies and procedures Textbooks Proposals Marketing collateral Video scripts Magazine articles Copy editing for publishers 15. Traditional Tech Writing Instructions forinstalling, maintaining, and repairing hardware Instructions on how toproperly use software Detailed manufacturingprocess plans User manuals foreverything from toastersto automobiles Medical reports andresearch articles 16. Research Pure Applied Research and writingwithin the field oftechnical communication Collaborative writingwith SMEs researchingwithin their specialty 17. Aerospace & Industry Proposals to capture newbusiness Technical reports andpresentations Marketing collateral toattract new customers Multi-media presentations Web site content anddesign Internal policies andprocedures Employee communications Media relations Community relations 18. Advertising & Marketing Communications Advertising across multiplemedia Print Radio TV Billboards Web sites Social media Diverse marketing collateral Brochures Flyers Fact sheets Trade show graphics Narrated video Web sites 19. Writing for Non-Profits Grant proposals Fund-raising collaterals Literature for those whoare served by the non-profits Web sitedesign, content, andmaintenance Empathy andcommitment 20. Healthcare Editing or ghost-writingarticles by physicians formedical journals Patient-oriented web sites Flyers describing illnessesand treatments, fordoctors offices Medical transcription Instructions forprescription medication Marketing collaterals andweb sites for for-profithospitals, pharmaceuticalcompanies, etc. 21. Gaming Game designers Documentation writersand designers Strategy guide writers Promotional writersExcellent article in STCs intercom magazine:http://intdev.stc.org/2012/01/its-all-in-the-game-technical-communications-role-in-game-documentation/ 22. Career Opportunities Technical communication spans many disciplines thejob market is huge Unless technology stands still, it will always be a growthmarket Companies are beginning to realize that poor writing andpoor communication hurt their bottom line Solving that problem taps into your core skills as Englishmajors 23. Tap Core Skills Writing accurately Writing clearly Writing concisely Writing coherently Writing creatively Tapping diverse media Crossing boundaries and cultures 24. Growing Job MarketThere are 45,000+ technical writers in the U.S.!Geographical Distribution of Jobs in Technical Communication 25. Competitive CompensationStateTechnical Writers Reporters, Correspondents Public Relations SpecialistsEmployed Mean$/yMedian$/yEmployed Mean$/yMedian$/yEmployed Mean$/yMedian$/yOregon 570 69.6K 74.5K 580 38.5K 32.4K 2,180 55.6K 52.2KMaryland 2,000 70.0K 69.7K 600 39.0K 30.7K 2,900 70.7K 62.1KNewHampshire180 71.1K 65.3K 190 43.8K 38.6K 870 60.5K 55.2KNew Jersey 1,530 71.5K 67.7K 860 47.3K 42.9K 3,820 64.6K 58.2KConnecticut 910 71.7K 72.2K 570 40.8K 34.6K 990 59.4K 56.6KVirginia 2,880 76.3K 72.9K 960 41.9K 35.0K 7,300 69.3K 62.6KWashington 1,610 79.5K 79.7K 740 44.4K 34.4K 4,990 59.3K 56.2KMassachusetts 1,960 82.1K 81.5K 1,170 64.1K 52.4K 8,650 62.1K 56.7KCalifornia 5,910 84.4K 80.1K 4,010 48.5K 38.7K 22,920 71.0K 62.6KU.S. 45,120 67.3K 64.6K 45,270 43.6K 34.9K 212,510 60.4K 52.4KSalary Comparison Table, Part 1Data is shown for the 9 states with the highest salaries in technical writing,plus the national average. 26. Competitive Compensation (Cont.)StateTechnical Writers Editors Writers and AuthorsEmployed Mean$/yMedian$/yEmployed Mean$/yMedian$/yEmployed Mean$/yMedian$/yOregon 570 69.6K 74.5K 1,050 52.8K 52.2K 630 56.4K 52.7KMaryland 2,000 70.0K 69.7K 2,150 59.2K 55.2K 900 73.5K 66.6KNewHampshire180 71.1K 65.3K 330 51.0K 46.4K 240 51.3K 48.1KNew Jersey 1,530 71.5K 67.7K 3,450 64.6K 58.2K 1,070 57.5k 53.3kConnecticut 910 71.7K 72.2K 990 59.4K 56.6K 380 63.8K 62.2KVirginia 2,880 76.3K 72.9K 3,190 59.8K 55.2K 1,640 62.4K 57.0KWashington 1,610 79.5K 79.7K 2,580 64.0K 55.5K 870 70.7K 66.3KMassachusetts 1,960 82.1K 81.5K 3,860 65.8K 58.2K 960 65.9K 58.7KCalifornia 5,910 84.4K 80.1K 10,930 60.3K 52.9K 6,500 93.7K 65.2KU.S. 45,120 67.3K 64.6K 98,990 60.5K 52.4K 40,930 68.1K 55.9KSalary Comparison Table, Part 2The mean and median salaries for tech writers are much closer than for otherwriters, reflecting dependable income. 27. Tech Writing Salaries Around the U.S.Tech Writing Salaries in Major Metropolitan AreasThe higher the concentration of technology and industry, the higher the salaries. 28. Paths to Careers in Tech Comm 29. On-the-Job TrainingBefore tech writing programs appeared inuniversities, OJT was the only path to acareer in technical communication 30. Degree Programs B.A. in tech comm M.A. in tech comm Ph.D. in tech comm Undergraduate minor intech comm A certificate based on agiven number of coursesin tech comm 31. Professional Certification STC-developedprofessional certificationprogram Portfolio-based, not test-based Candidates submit worksamples demonstratingcore competencies Faster and cheaper thandegrees or certificates 32. STC Membership 33. Society for Technical Communication Largest and oldest professional association dedicatedto the advancement of technical communication Sets the global standards for technical communication Members reach across every industry and continent Produces a wide array of educational events Publishes award-winning publications: intercom andTechnical Communication (a quarterly peer-reviewedjournal) Maintains a comprehensive website including anextensive archive of webinars Worlds largest technical communication conference 34. Values Behaviors Innovation Integrity Professionalism Respect Commitment Transparency Open communication Inclusion LeadershipValues and Behaviors 35. Benefits of Membership Affiliation (geographic or virtual) with an STC studentchapter Affiliation (geographic or virtual) with an STCgeographic chapter Affiliation with one STC special interest group (SIG) ina technical communication discipline of particularinterest to you Access to salary scales, job listings, and other valuableintellectual property on the international STC web site 36. Benefits of Membership (Cont.) Eligibility for STCstudent mentoringprograms Professional networking E-access to industry-leading professionalpublications Reduced rates for STCconferences, webinars(plus free webinars), andcertification in technicalcommunication 37. Career GrowthNetworking within yourAffiliated STC CommunitiesJob Search andPlacementCareerAdvancementProfessionalDevelopment 38. MentoringStudent Mentoring Programs:The Whys, Hows, and MoreBethany Bowles and Rachel HoughtonPresentation to Sigma Tau Delta International ConferenceMarch 21, 2013 39. Joining STC 40. Membership LevelsStudentMembershipNew TechnicalCommunicatorClassicMembership 41. Special for Sigma Tau Delta Members50% discount on membershipfor the rest of 2013 (save$37.50)Eligible for 33% discount onstudent renewal for 2014(save $25.00)* Sign up at the conference Call 1-571-366-1909 barbra.sanders@stc.orgOffer Ends April 30!* Renew by Dec 31, 2013. 42. Questions? Come See Us!SMEs from STC for questions and answersMaterials on the benefits of STC membershipMaterials on the various disciplines within technicalcommunicationMaterials on careers in technical communicationMaterials on core skills for technical communicatorsTypical salary scales for jobs in technical communicationToolkit (printed book and accompanying DVD) on how toestablish and sustain a student mentoring programDiscounted STC student memberships!Free giveaways! 43. Better Together!The Society for TechnicalCommunication 44. Thank you forComing!Feel free to contact us! Rachel Houghton rjhoughton@gmail.com Twitter rjhoughton Bethany Bowles bethanybowles@gmail.com Dan Voss* daniel.w.voss@lmco.com*Co-developer of presentation.