Technical Communication…

1. Technical Communication… Just another English class??? Or A necessity for any job in our current times?????

2. Congratulations!!!!! So you earned your A.S/B.S Degree and you just landed your new job……but what are you going to do about that research you need to present or the memos you need to send out???? Your boss did say that those things needed to be sent out ASAP. Well how about recalling the things you learned in English class????

3. Well the Boss said they needed to be memos on the new procedures the workers must follow for production…not the origins of Hamlet. Although English and the arts are a beneficial part of our learning and education in Universities; they are not what Employers are looking for. Unless of course your career is that of an English teacher.

4. How far does this go in the work force?? Todd, a Software Engineer at entry level shared some insight as to Technical Communication in a Computer oriented career. “It’s a surprise to get in on your first day and see how much information is there for you to know. After you get your first program develop you also need to develop the instructions for it and that’s where this comes in handy.”

5. “Also, memos, notices, emails and policies are set up in a way that if I would have had more training in school things would be easier.” So what does this mean for those that are still getting a degree??? Simple….

6. The better understanding you have of technical communication in the workplace the better prepared you will be to participate in work. The best way to get this preparation is by taking a class like this in college whether it is required or not for you particular degree.

7. What about other non-computer fields??? According to SGT. Smith of the local Sheriffs Office, “Communication is key to our work day in and day out.” “Our work place consists of reports, some research, lots of memos, notices, emails, reports and statistics. Several of our officers have degrees in Criminal Justice but lack the ability to properly use memos formats and other things that you learn in a Technical Communication course that we use in this field.”

8. Communication between Law enforcement and the community they serve is also an aspect of technical communication since they use means like letter and websites. This was supported by an article used at Missouri University of Science and tech. A group of students did internships with the army to see how Technical Communication affects them. http://news.mst.edu/2009/09/students_get_inside_info_extra.html

9. “I do wish that some more of these courses in college would cover more of what goes on in the work place and how things like memos and other things are used to distribute information.” SGT. Smith. As for those that don’t go to school, the department will cover this aspect of communication in a few classes in the academy.

10. Other common Employers… Al, a manager with a local McDonalds, states that even with high school kids it would be helpful for them to get a better grasp of writing in a work environment. “We make food from memos and instructions sent to us from corporate, at times I ask for feed back to improve the process of services from the restaurant, I have a crew from high school to college level and many need improvement in writing in memos, instructions and especially emails.

11. The results are in!!!! All these people have one thing in common, they wish their employees were better trained in writing in the work environment. And all agree that they would expect better writing material from those that are currently in or have gone to college/universities but are not getting those results. Bottom line….Technical Communication course in college is a great idea to take for a step up in the work field.