STC Certification Presentation
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Transcript of STC Certification Presentation
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
Technical Communication Certification:
20 Questions AnsweredSteven Jong
STC Certification Committee
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20102
Who is Steve and why is he here?
• STC Senior Member (1982–)
• Active in publications competitions at chapter and international levels (1992–)
• Boston Chapter president, 2004–2005
• STC Director at Large, 2007–2010
• Chairman, STC Certification Task Force, 2007–2010
• Chairman, STC Certification Committee (2010–)
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20103
What is certification?
The process through which an organization grants recognition to an individual ... [who] meets certain established criteria.
•“Certificate” versus “certification”•“Certification” versus “licensure”•“Licensure” versus “accreditation”
3Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 2010
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20104
What does this have to do with our profession?A profession is marked by three attributes:•A unique body of knowledge•A code of ethics•Certification of qualified practitioners
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20105
What took so long?• First discussed in 1964(!)
• First sanctioned work: Ad Hoc Committee on Certification in 1975
• Membership surveys: 1975, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1995, 1997
• Certification RFP issued in 1985; response not pursued
• Feasibility study
commissioned in 1998
• Began work on Body of Knowledge (BoK) in 2007
• Benchmarking report on professions in 2008
• Value proposition adopted in 2009
• Certification program approved by Board on 30 April 2010
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20106
Why did STC finally accept certification?• Legitimize the contributions of, and respect
for, our profession• Establish uniform worldwide performance
standards• Increase the employability and salary of
certified practitioners• Satisfy employers’ expectations• Reduce hiring risk for employers• Bring in non-dues revenue for the Society
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20107
What is STC trying to achieve?
• Certification is voluntary
• Certification focuses on uniform areas of practice where technical communicators provide unique value
• Applicants must meet prerequisites to be eligible for certification
• Applicants must demonstrate knowledge, skills, and experience
• Assessment involves a variety
of methods
• A core certification provides the basis for certification growth
• Applicants must agree to adhere to the STC Code of Ethics
• Opportunities are provided to applicants for remediation
• Once granted, certification must be maintained
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20108
What is STC certifying?
1.User, task, and experience analysis2. Information design3.Process management4. Information development5. Information production6.Review coordination and
reconciliation
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20109
What’s the value of certification?
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
0
What’s in it for me?
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
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What’s in it for employers?• Employers find that
certified professionals are more often competent and successful than uncertified ones
• Employers spend less to hire, train, and replace certified employees
• Therefore, employers seek out and pay more for certified professionals
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
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What’s it gonna cost?
• ISPI: $995
• The Data Warehousing Institute: $975
• ASTD: $799
• Human Factors International: $750
• IEEE: $645
• STC online certificate course $595 (member)
• APMP: $450
• ASQ: $450
• IIBA: $450
• PMI: $405
• Accreditation in Public Relations: $385
• ABC: $320
• AMWA (certificate): $275
• BELS: $250
TBD, but consider these association fees:
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
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What might be in the application packet?
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Attestation from you and your client (boss)
• Signed Code of Ethics
• Work samples and artifacts
• Accounts (stories) of projects
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
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How will evaluation work?• Several sessions per year
• Application screened by STC office• Packet examined by three trained evaluators (who receive
honoraria)• Under non-disclosure• Each evaluator looks at three packets (evaluator-applicant
ratio is 1:1)• Evaluate against established criteria
• Results: • 3–0 vote: certify• 2–1 vote: return for clarification• 1–2 or 0–3 vote: reject
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
5
What about the BoK?
• The STC BoK is being fleshed out
• It will become the basis for future examinations
• It will become the basis for future specialty certifications
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
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•Certificate•Plaque•Pin•Logo•Designation •Listing on
Web site
What are certification marks?
Steven Jong, RTFM
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
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I have a tech comm degree. Why should I get certified?•Certification
assesses both what you know and what you’ve done
•However, a technical communication degree (or equivalent) is a solid foundation to becoming certified
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
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I can’t demonstrate/don’t know an area. How can I get
certified?• Use completed
projects, not current ones
• Use samples from previous jobs
• Redact samples
• Do the case study instead
• Take a class first
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20101
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I’m not a writer. What about me?
• Specialty certifications (future)
• Requires BoK
•Opportunity for partnerships
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20102
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Will I have to maintain my certification?
• Yes—certification is good for three years
• To maintain it, continue your education to maintain current skills or learn new skills, and stay active in field
• Reapplication packet contains fee and proof of course attendance
• Screened by STC office
• Results: Recertify or return
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 20102
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•Only STC has the international reach to offer international certification
•We can use the same model internationally
•Requires the BoK•We must revalidate our work
outside the North American market
What about international certification?
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 201022
Certification Committee
Carolina Chapter, August 2010
If you want to learn more
or help out
STC Certification CommitteeSteven Jong, [email protected]
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