The
Program at a Glance
An internship experience
can help you determine your
career path, focus your degree
program, and ease your
transition from the workplace
to the classroom.
The Society For Technical Communication (STC)
STC is an individual membership organization whose goal is advancing the arts and sciences of technical communication. STC is the largest organization of its kind in the world, consisting of over 20,000 members and 144 chapters to date. Among those belonging to STC are a number of experts in a variety of disciplines whose work involves making technical information understandable and available to those who need it.
Who Belongs to STC?
- writers and editors
- graphic artists and technical illustrators
- translators
- managers and supervisors
- educators and students
- independent consultants and constractors
- photographers and audiovisual specialists
What Publications Are Offered by STC?
Technical Communication: A quarterly journal that covers today's issues in the field of technical communication.
Intercom: A monthly magazine that provides information about the technical communication profession.
TechView: The student chapter newsletter at NIU.
What Online Benefits Can STC Offer?
STC's homepage has a link to a Bulletin Board System (BBS). The BBS has job postings for opportunities in the technical communication profession in a global scale. In order to have access to this database, you must first become a member of STC. This homepage also offers an opportunity to post your resume (as a member) for those seeking job applicants in the appropriate fields.
NIU's Student Chapter of STC
NIU's STC chapter holds meetings on campus throughout each semester. Last spring, STC invited professionals from the Chicago area to hold seminars on home pages and multimedia. This fall, STC sponsored seminars on home pages and online help. Students members also have the opportunity to attend Rockford and Chicago monthly STC meetings, as well as our annual national conference. Our faculty advisor is Professor Christine Abbot, an associate professor of English at NIU. A senior member of STC, Professor Abbott proves to be a valuable link to the professional membership. Her academic background is complemented by her business world experience. She returned to the world of academe following a successful career as a writing and editing consultant with her firm Barabas, Ryba and Associates. Professor Abbott's corporate contacts have allowed her to refer many students to job opportunities in the field. Student members only pay $40.00 per year, which is one-third the cost of the professional fee. In order to qualify for student membership, you must be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate classes full time, and have the NIU STC faculty advisor sign the application form. Student members have found that STC membership is a valuable addition to their resume.
Professional Interest Committees
- The Consulting and Independent Contracting PIC
- The Education and Research PIC
- The Emerging Technologies PIC
- The Environmental, Safety, and Health Communication PIC
- The International Technical Communication PIC
- The Management PIC
- The Marketing Communication PIC
- The Multimedia PIC
- The Online Information PIC
- The Policies and Procedures PIC
- The Quality PIC
- The Scientific Communication PIC
- The Usability PIC
- The Visual Communication PIC
If you find that any of these appeal to you, please contact Jan Knudsen at your earliest convenience and ask to see one of the STC brochures that offer annotated details about each PIC.