Bridging the gap - Make technical communication work for you

Practical models for technical communication - Shannon Kelley 2021

Bridging the gap
Make technical communication work for you

Abstract: Not everyone becomes a technical writer, but most of you will use technical communication in your chosen fields. At its core, technical communication is a specific message with a clear purpose for a certain audience. Strong communication skills are essential to success in any field you choose. Everything you write is a reflection of you and the company or organization you represent. And it’s not just about you—collaboration is also part of technical writing. Learning how to bridge the gap between student and professional work can be useful as you advance in your education and career. This chapter explores job postings that require technical communication skills. This chapter also offers practical advice from a diverse group of professionals who have found ways to make technical communication work for them.

Looking Ahead

1. Bridging the Gap

2. Types of Communicators

3. Meet the Professionals

4. Tips for Success

Key Terms

” freelancer/contractor

” network

” technical communicator

” technical writer

Bridging the gap

How your undergraduate classes connect to each other and your profession will inform your educational path. For example, once you see how this technical communication course helps you write an individualized educational plan for one of your future students or how a sociology course helps you become a better manager, then you have begun synthesizing your education with your professional life. Some elements of your undergraduate work may never apply professionally, and other elements will surprise you with their relevance. Regardless of your path, strong communication skills are fundamental to all higher-wage postsecondary careers.

From the Classroom

Educational requirements and standards in the classroom are set by your professors. They tell you what to write, how much, and when it’s due. They model what to do and ask you to practice before you perform the task. You’re often asked to explain the choices you made and how you got to the answer. If you stumble or fall, your professors are there to show you how to learn from the experience and rise to your feet.

This type of guided instruction prepares you for the workforce because it gives you something to lean into and trust. It also teaches you the flexibility and curiosity to adapt to new expectations and solve problems. Institutions of higher learning invest money and resources so that you can be successful. Worst-case scenario—you don’t pass a class. Even with these guardrails in place, it’s important to establish good habits to carry with you beyond the classroom.

To the Professional World

Professional demands vary widely. The principles taught in this book aim to encourage discipline and resourcefulness as you continue to learn skills for technical communication. It’s important to tap into and trust your resources because you’ll need many of these skills as you train for new positions and accumulate professional experience.

You may have noticed that this book focuses more on longevity skills like writing with clarity and understanding design instead of using specific software. That’s because software advances so quickly and companies often choose different programs. Instead of giving you step-by-step tutorials on how to use specific programs to create documents, we provide you a foundation to work from and build upon.

Some lessons from your technical communication course are universally applied, others will need to be modified to fit the specifics of your workplace, and a few will become surprisingly relevant years from now. Your education enhances your workplace training and gives you the flexibility that comes with having the right tools for the right situations.