New Perspectives on the Technical Communication Internship: Professionalism in the Workplace

Tiffany Bourelle University of New Mexico

Abstract

This article argues for developing linked courses in technical communication where the instructor facilitates a service-learning curriculum and then serves as faculty advisor within subsequent internships. In these linked courses, students write technical documents before moving into internships where they write similar documents. Specifically, the article examines the results from one such class and offers both theoretical and practical advice for collaborating with nonprofit and creating internships that are beneficial for both the students and the nonprofit. In addition, the discussion highlights students' preparedness to enter the field of technical communication, as evidenced through their internship work and their final reflections. Through careful consideration of the nonprofit' responses, I suggest making changes to professional and technical communication curricula for linked courses and internships, including the addition of an objective of professionalism that teaches students to not only write in a professional manner, but to also consider their actions and responsibilities within the context of an organizational culture.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2014-04-01
DOI
10.2190/tw.44.2.d
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (11)

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 11 →
  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  6. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly

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