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

Define the Profession1

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 IN THE PROFESSION

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

Topic-based authoring Structured authoring (XML)

Trends Affecting TechComm

Collaboration Open source User-generated content Open communication

Twitter Wikis Blogs

Trends Affecting TechComm

Communicating directly with users

Trends Affecting TechComm

Globalization Localization Translation

WHAT ELSE IS INCLUDED IN DEFINING A PROFESSION?

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

UNIQUE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE

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

ETHICAL REQUIREMENT

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

RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS

Credentials Required?

Special task force Still under debate:

Certification License Degree programs

Communicate the Value By Telling Our Powerful Story2

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

Globally Improve the Practice3

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 Partnerships4

Expand strategic partnerships

AECT AMWA APMP ASSI&T ATA ATTW Content Wrangler CMPros

GALA IEEE/PCS INTECOM LavaCon LISA UPA WritersUA Writing Assistance

Ensure the Viability of the Organization5

Active membership in STC is your best insurance policy against unemployment.

—John HedtkeFellow

More benefits that are exclusive to membership

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…

Discounts on Member Benefits Available to Public

Competitions Conference and other education fees

Visit the website often www.stc.org

Thank you!Thank you!