Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 2010

Technical Communication Internship Requirements in the Academic Economy: How We Compare among Ourselves and across other Applied Fields

Gerald J. Savage ; Marcea K. Seible Illinois State University

Abstract

This article reports a study of internship requirements in technical communication programs compared with three established professions and one emerging profession that have certification or licensing requirements for practitioners. The study addresses three questions about technical communication internship programs: 1) Are internships offered as a way to fulfill program academic credit requirements? 2) If internships are offered, are they required or elective? 3) What are the minimum/maximum academic credits allowed for internships toward fulfillment of program requirements and the number of workplace hours of internship required? To answer these questions we focused on three elements of internship program management: academic credits, workplace hours per academic credit, and total workplace hours required. Our findings indicate that there is considerable disparity for these factors among programs in our field and that we lack criteria similar to those used in established professions for internships.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2010-01-01
DOI
10.2190/tw.40.1.d
Open Access
Closed
Topics
artificial intelligence technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

  1. Bay et al. (2022)
    Remote TPC Internships: Infrastructures for Success
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Tanner et al. (2019)
    Testing the Test: Expanding the Dialogue on Technical Writing Assessment in the…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Kramer-Simpson (2018)
    Moving From Student to Professional: Industry Mentors and Academic Internship C…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Bay (2017)
    Training Technical and Professional Communication Educators for Online Internsh…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Bourelle (2014)
    New Perspectives on the Technical Communication Internship: Professionalism in …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (7)

  1. Bay (2006)
    Preparing Undergraduates for Careers: An Argument for the Internship Practicum
    College English
  2. Blakeslee et al. (2004)
    The State of Research in Technical Communication
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Amant (2003)
    Expanding Internships to Enhance Academic-Industry Relations: A Perspective in …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Tovey (2001)
    Building Connections between Industry and University: Implementing an Internshi…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Smith (2000)
    Points of reference in technical communication scholarship
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 7 →
  1. Savage (1999)
    The Process and Prospects for Professionalizing Technical Communication
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Connors (1982)
    The Rise of Technical Writing Instruction in America
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Also cites 5 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.4324/9781410603739
     ↗
  2. 10.2190/AITC9
     ↗
  3. 10.1002/he.106
     ↗
  4. Garrison B., Post-Internship Seminar Can Solve Academic Credit, Grading Problems of Internship Programs, Jour…
     ↗
  5. 10.1080/07303084.2004.10608538
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 7 View in citation network →

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