Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2014

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
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
service learning technical communication
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (11)

  1. Parks (2026)
    Internship Practices in Technical and Professional Communication Programs
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Liu (2026)
    Bridging the Gap: A Comparative Study of Students’ and LSPs’ Perceptions of Tra…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Bennett (2024)
    (Dis)ability Deconditioning: Challenging Ableist Articulations of Professionali…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Bennett (2024)
    (Dis)ability Deconditioning: Challenging Ableist Articulations of Professionali…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Batova (2021)
    An Approach for Incorporating Community-Engaged Learning in Intensive Online Cl…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 11 →
  1. Pickering (2019)
    Emotion, Social Action, and Agency: A Case Study of an Intercultural, Technical…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Pickering (2018)
    Navigating Discourses of Power Through Relationships: A Professional and Techni…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Kramer-Simpson (2018)
    Feedback From Internship Mentors in Technical Communication Internships
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Kramer-Simpson (2018)
    Moving From Student to Professional: Industry Mentors and Academic Internship C…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Hirst (2016)
    Bonding With the Nuclear Industry: A Technical Communication Professor and His …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  6. Bourelle (2015)
    Writing in the Professions: An Internship for Interdisciplinary Students
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly

References (26) · 9 in this index

  1. Tovey (2001)
    Building Connections between Industry and University: Implementing an Internshi…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. 10.1177/108056990006300109
     ↗
  3. Amant (2003)
    Expanding Internships to Enhance Academic-Industry Relations: A Perspective in …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. 10.1177/1080569909336450
     ↗
  5. Savage (1997)
    Doing Unto Others through Technical Communication Internship Programs
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 26 →
  1. ANSON et al. (1990)
    Moving Beyond the Academic Community: Transitional Stages in Professional Writing
    Written Communication
  2. Zimmerman A. P. (2007)
    ATEA Journal
  3. 10.2307/375964
     ↗
  4. McEachern (2001)
    Problems in Service Learning and Technical/Professional Writing: Incorporating …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Henze B. (2006)
    Technical Communication
  6. Vygotsky L. (1978)
    Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes
  7. Johnson-Sheehan R. (2012)
    Technical Communication Today
  8. Reamer D. (2012)
    Programmatic Perspectives
  9. Hayhoe G. F. (2007)
    Technical Communication
  10. Carliner S. (2012)
    Technical Communication
  11. 10.2307/j.ctt46nwgv.19
     ↗
  12. Carter et al. (2003)
    Assessing Technical Writing in Institutional Contexts: Using Outcomes-Based Ass…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  13. Savage et al. (2010)
    Technical Communication Internship Requirements in the Academic Economy: How We…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  14. Society for Technical Communication, STC's Ethical Principles for Technical Communicators, 1995. Retrieved De…
  15. Loacker G. (1986)
    Assessment in Higher Education
  16. 10.1080/87567559709596221
     ↗
  17. White (2005)
    The Scoring of Writing Portfolios: Phase 2
    College Composition and Communication
  18. Huba M. (2000)
    Learner-Centered Assessment on College Campuses: Shifting the Focus from Teaching to Learning
  19. Kleiman S. (1993)
    Writing in the Workplace: New Research Perspectives
  20. 10.1177/1080569912460400
     ↗
  21. Bourelle (2012)
    Bridging the Gap between the Technical Communication Classroom and the Internsh…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
CrossRef global citation count: 16 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Prompt: A Journal of Academic Writing Assignments Jan 2026
    A Murder Most Technical: Gamification, AI, and Rhetorical Genre Studies in the Technical Writing Classroom ↗
    Justin Cook
    genre theory writing pedagogy service learning teacher development argument collaborative writing technical communication professional writing
  2. Pedagogy Oct 2025
    Contributors ↗
    modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism genre theory cultural rhetorics first-year composition writing pedagogy advanced composition creative writing writing across the curriculum graduate education two-year college service learning teacher development technical communication professional writing labor and working conditions archival research multimodality artificial intelligence literacy studies race and writing gender and writing disability studies literary studies editorial matter
  3. Kairos: A Journal of Rhetoric, Technology, and Pedagogy Aug 2025
    From Information to Action: Technical (Science) Communication and Digital Engagement ↗
    Daniel Card; Danielle DeVasto
    service learning technical communication scientific writing
  4. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Dec 2023
    Fostering Advocacy, Developing Empathetic UX Bricoleurs: Ongoing Programmatic Assessment and Responsive Curriculum Design ↗
    Scott J. Kowalewski; Bill Williamson
    writing pedagogy curriculum design service learning teacher development assessment technical communication professional writing empirical research qualitative research
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 2023
    Collaborating Successfully with Community Partners and Clients in Online Service-Learning Classes ↗
    Rebecca J. Dumlao
    service learning teacher development collaborative writing technical communication