The Changing Face of TechComm and the Society for Technical Communication
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Transcript of The Changing Face of TechComm and the Society for Technical Communication
The Changing Face of TechComm and STC
Susan Burton, CAEExecutive Director31 October 2008DocTrain East
What is STC?
The professional home for technical communicators
A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) individual membership association
Our members work in industry, government, academe, and the non-profit sector
The Organization of STC
Board of Directors with 14 members elected at large
14,000 members in the US and 50 countries
120 chapters, 25 outside the US
21 Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
1Define
the Professio
n
2Communicate the Value
3Improve the
Practice
4Expand
our Partnershi
ps
5Ensure
the Viabilit
y
The Standard Occupational Classifications (SOC)
List of 820 professions and occupations with formal definitions and terse descriptions
Used by: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment and Training Administration
Office of Management and Budget solicited changes that reflect new occupations or fundamental changes to existing ones.
Technical Writer
Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
Current Definition
Problems with Current Definition
A definition based only on “writers” sends false market signals
It’s not about the media Documentation playing new role in
consumer protection and international competitiveness
Communication changing from one-way static to multi-way dynamic
Recommended Definition
27-1028 Technical Communicators Develop and design instructional and
informational tools needed to assure safe, easy, proper and complete use of technical goods and services. Combine multi-media knowledge and strong communication skills with technical expertise to educate across the entire spectrum of users’ abilities, technical experience, and visual and auditory capabilities.
Trends Affecting TechComm
Content management Data management Knowledge management Convergence (creation, production, and
maintenance of technical content)
Trends Affecting TechComm
Multimedia and Web 2.0 technologies for help content and user assistance Graphics Audio Videos Interactive media
Trends Affecting TechComm
Collaboration Open source User-generated content Open communication
Twitter Wikis Blogs
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
Professions have: a unique body of knowledge an ethical requirement that puts the needs of
the customer (end-user) ahead of the provider’s commercial interest
a recognized credential—such as a license or certification
Body of Knowledge (BoK)?
BoK task force Comprehensive and inclusive STC Knowledge Portal Web sitemap
Organized by Domains, Nodes, and Knowledge Elements
Information Design & Development
Tool Knowledge Collaboration Research & Practice Business Knowledge
Professional Development
Academic Programs
Management TC Standards Deliverables About TC
11 Domains
Domain: Tool Knowledge
Tool Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
New Tools & Technology
Translation Tools Social Media Tools Other Tools Hardware
Tool Methodology Knowledge
Web Design Tools About Tools:
Evolution Programming
Languages Tutorials
11 Nodes
Providing Ethical Considerations?
Special task force of members Puts the needs of the customer (end-user)
ahead of the provider’s commercial interest
Affects practice of the profession
Communicating Through Our Publications & Website
Monthly magazine Quarterly journal Annual Salary
Database Monthly electronic
newsletter Frequent front page
updates
• To employers
• To students entering the field
• To interested media
• To technical communicators
Telling Our Powerful Story
3–6 May 2009
Atlanta, GA
STC’s Most STC’s Most Comprehensive Comprehensive & & AffordableAffordable Education EventEducation Event
• Certificate Programs—intensive, two-day, hands-on sessions
• More than 100 sessions
• Organized in 7 tracks to identify interest areas
• Institutes—for more experienced practitioners
NEW!Attendees will have access for one year after the conference to audio recorded sessions synched with PowerPoint on STC website.
Live Web Seminars
Get training without leaving the office 90-minute sessions on timely topics No travel expense Pay per site, not per person Very affordable…$79
Expand strategic partnerships
AECT AMWA APMP ASSI&T ATA ATTW Content Wrangler CMPros
GALA IEEE/PCS INTECOM LavaCon LISA UPA WritersUA Writing Assistance
Exclusive Member Benefits
14-day advance look at new job postings online
Access to salary database with average salaries by geographic area and industries
Free access to 5,500 best practices reports
Software discounts that save members hundreds of $$$
plus so much more…