Abstract

Recent research in technical communication (TC) indicates that the field has become more varied than ever in terms of job titles, job skills, and levels of involvement in the design and production process. Here, we examine this diversity by detailing the results of a small-scale anonymous survey of individuals who are currently working as technical communicators (TCs). The purpose of our survey was to discover what job titles people who identify as TCs have held and the skills required of those positions. The study was conducted using the online survey platform Qualtrics. Survey results found that TCs occupy jobs and use skills that are often quite different from "traditional" TC careers. Results further support previous research that these roles and responsibilities continue to evolve. However, results also suggest that this evolution is more sweeping than previously realized---moving TCs away from not only the traditional technical writing role but also the "technical communicator" role as it has been understood for the past 20--25 years.

Journal
Communication Design Quarterly
Published
2019-01-22
DOI
10.1145/3309578.3309580
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Communication Design Quarterly
  2. Communication Design Quarterly

Cites in this index (12)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 12 →
  1. Communication Design Quarterly
  2. Communication Design Quarterly
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  6. Technical Communication Quarterly
  7. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Also cites 8 works outside this index ↓
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  2. 10.1145/2987592.2987631
  3. 10.1109/TPC.2016.2537080
  4. 10.1109/TPC.2012.2237255
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  8. 10.1109/TPC.2003.816785
CrossRef global citation count: 10 View in citation network →