Newsletter of the East Bay Chapter of STC
September/October 2003
Society News
Society's Mission
Creating and supporting a forum for communities of practice in the profession of technical communication.
STC 51st Conference: Call for Proposals
STC’s 2004 conference will revolve around the theme “Navigating the Future of Technical Communication.” The conference is scheduled for May 9–14 and will be held in Baltimore, Maryland.
You can submit your proposal to speak by filling out the Call for Proposals
form available on the STC
web site. The web site also provides resources for speakers, such
as example proposals and information on how to prepare your presentation
if it is accepted.
Books by STC Members
Did you know that the STC web site contains a listing of technical communication books written by STC members? If you have written a book, STC will list it as long as the book has an ISBN number and is available for sale on an online bookstore such as Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com.
Visit the Books by Members
page to see the list of books along with the request form to list your
book.
STC in the News
The job search and advice web site, Monster, has an interesting article Careers in Technical Writing posted in their career advice section. Although the article focuses on technical writing from the software development angle, it still has useful information on how to get started in technical writing.
The article begins with the following paragraph:
To some people, any job with the word “writer” in the title looks like it must be a blast—the next best thing to working on episodes of “The Practice.” So you’ve seen the title technical writer in your job search, and it has whet your appetite to learn more. Here’s a guide to the profession.
The day I clicked the technical writer link, which displays a search
of recent technical writing jobs across the country, there were 574 jobs
listed (of course, a couple hundred of these listings were not really
writing jobs).
There were lots of technical writer titles along with many other related
titles such as Marketing Writer High Tech, Proposal Writer/Coordinator,
Patent Writer, Financial Writer, Documentation Writer/Trainer,
Information Developer, Grant Writer, Copywriter,
Aircraft Technical Writer and Illustrator, and Senior Medical
Writer. It’s interesting to take a look at the types of writing
jobs offered around the country if you’re willing to relocate. It
also gives you an idea of the different job titles you can look for.
The article points to the Occupational
Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which states
“Demand for technical writers is expected to increase with the expansion
of scientific and technical information and the need to communicate it
to others.” This statement is ironic, considering the number of
unemployed technical communicators and the discussions occurring in STC
and other writers’ groups about how the profession is changing.
Nevertheless, it’s another voice in the ongoing debate of our profession’s
future.
Join STC and Get a Reduced Rate
If you’ve thought about joining STC, but haven’t yet taken the time to do so, now is your chance to get a bargain!
New and renewing members joining on or after November 1, 2003, pay $140 for the balance of 2003 and all of 2004. New and renewing student members pay $50. That’s 14 months for the price of 12!
Become a dues-paying member of STC and take advantage of the "Members Only" resources on the STC web site including:
- Jobs Database
- Membership Directory
- Intercom (the Society's magazine)
- Conference Proceedings
- Publications Search
You can join by using the online or printable membership
application (students must submit a printed application). New member
applications are processed within 7 to 10 business days. When your application
has been processed, the Society will send your member ID number and temporary
password so you can access the members-only section of the STC web site.
They will also mail you an STC membership card, a new member information
kit, and a receipt.
DMV Home | EBSTC | STC | Contact Us
Annual STC
Conference| Summer Literacy Project
| STC as a Volunteer Organization
Short Story | Ask
Elaine | Member Spotlight |