How Technical Communicators Feel about Their Occupation: Facets, Attitudes, and Implications for the Future of the Profession

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 1995

How Technical Communicators Feel about Their Occupation: Facets, Attitudes, and Implications for the Future of the Profession

Alice I. Philbin Bowling Green State University ; Ann Marie Ryan Bowling Green State University ; Lisa Friedel Bowling Green State University

Abstract

To study the affective states of technical communicators, we administered a survey to examine three areas: first, the traditional facets or aspects of job satisfaction; second, any possible differences between male and female technical communicators in job satisfaction; and third, any influences on job satisfaction such as job stress that might be unique to the technical communication profession. To ensure the reliability and validity of the measures, the survey included the Job Descriptive Index (JDI), the most widely used measure of job satisfaction in the world. The sample from the Society for Technical Communication's (STC's) membership list yielded 323 usable responses. Our analyses included: a comparison of our subjects' responses to national norms for all occupations, an examination of male and female differences on satisfaction measures, and the use of various appropriate statistical procedures to select only the most significant results for discussion. The results indicate that technical communicators are satisfied with their compensation and opportunities for promotion, but they are dissatisfied with the work itself, their supervision, and their co-workers. No significant gender differences occurred. Implications are discussed.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1995-07-01
DOI: 10.2190/rtnv-yblm-nngr-x3v9
Open Access: Closed
Topics: writing across the curriculum quantitative research technical communication affect and writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

Hovde (2000)

Tactics for Building Images of Audience in Organizational Contexts

Journal of Business and Technical Communication
MacNealy et al. (1999)

Can This Marriage Be Saved: Is an English Department a Good Home for Technical …

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Cites in this index (2)

DRAGGA (1993)

Women and the Profession of Technical Writing

Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Zimmerman et al. (1993)

Exploring the technical communicator's roles: Implications for program design

Technical Communication Quarterly

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