Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2003

The Skills That Technical Communicators Need: An Investigation of Technical Communication Graduates, Managers, and Curricula

Aimee L. Whiteside University of Minnesota System

Abstract

This study examines the skills that recent technical communication graduates and managers believe technical communication students need before entering business and industry as new technical communicators. Through questionnaires and interviews with recent graduates and managers of technical communication departments as well as an analysis of the participating schools' curricula, this study suggests areas where technical communication may need more preparation, including business operations, project management, problem-solving skills, and scientific and technical knowledge. Further research is needed at local, state, and national levels to analyze technical communication undergraduate curricula along with responses from recent graduates of technical communication programs and managers of technical communication programs. Only through continued research can we ensure that future technical communicators receive an education that eases their transition into the world of business and industry.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2003-10-01
DOI
10.2190/3164-e4v0-bf7d-tdva
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication multilingual writers

Citation Context

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Cites in this index (8)

  1. Blakeslee (2001)
    Bridging the Workplace and the Academy: Teaching Professional Genres through Cl…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Breuch (2001)
    The Overruled Dust Mite: Preparing Technical Cormmunication Students to Interac…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Tovey (2001)
    Building Connections between Industry and University: Implementing an Internshi…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
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    Does the Curriculum Fit the Career? Some Conclusions from a Survey of Graduates…
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    Teaching technical communication in the 1990s: Challenges and perspectives
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 8 →
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    Bridging the gaps: Technical communication in an international and multicultura…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
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Also cites 1 work outside this index ↓
  1. 10.2190/NETC1
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 44 View in citation network →

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