Training technical writers?

[Geoff Hart <ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca>]

Ron Scheer wondered: <<Does STC or any other professional  
organization have a recommended curriculum for training technical  
writers?>>

There are more curricula out there than you can shake a stick at.  
See, for instance: http://stc.org/edu/academicDatabase01.asp

Is there any universal standard? No more than there is in any other  
field of education, though there are undoubtedly broad trends. Best  
bet is to find a school near you and see what their program looks  
like, then compare it with a few other schools to see if it has any  
omissions that you consider significant.

In terms of "core competencies", STC currently has a committee  
studying the ever-contentious issue of certification. I personally  
know and trust one of the committee members (don't know the others  
well enough to comment, so don't take that as a slap at them), and  
also know one of the "eminences grises" who is active in this effort  
behind the scenes, so I believe that at least two highly intelligent  
people are at work on defining these core competencies. This may  
eventually provide some of the information you're looking for.

Personally, I'm deeply skeptical of the value of certification--it  
puts the cart before the horse, because credentials are worthless if  
the profession isn't well known and respected. But I'm prepared to be  
an honest skeptic and remain willing to be convinced.
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Geoff Hart   ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca

(try geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com if you don't get a reply)

www.geoff-hart.com

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