Re: FWD: Students, STC, and Student Chapter--Need Advice

[Stephen Forrest <techwriter -at- IBM -dot- NET>]

At 06:01 AM 7/1/97 -0600:
>FORWARDED ANONYMOUSLY ON REQUEST.
>
>I have a situation that I don't know quite how to deal and I would like
>some help.
>
>The local STC chapter where I live does not seem to care that there are
>undergrad and graduate student members who might benefit from being able to
>interact with the professionals in our area.

  -  -  -  -  -  -  <snip!>  -  -  -  -  -  -
>
>At this point, I see the options as this:
>
>1. Don't do anything (not acceptable)
>
>2. Make our opinions known to the group that students members are important
>and that we want to be involved.
>
>3. Start a student chapter that would make STC more accessible to students
>and make the students feel more enfranchised to the profession of technical
>communciation.
>
>What are your thoughts on the situation and do any of you have suggestions
>on how to proceed?

I'm vice-president of the local STC chapter, and I'm unhappy to hear of your
situation.

It was not that long ago that I was a student, and I was encouraged by my
teachers to join STC. STC gave me much needed orientation, and a sense of
direction in starting a new career.

There is a good student writing competition here, and it helps students see
their work as something more than just another class assignment and to get
valuable experience writing work that will be reviewed by professionals.

If what you say is true, the local STC people are short-sighted. Reaching
and recruiting people while they are still students is the best way to
solidify our base as THE organization that represents our profession.
Technical Communicators would be better off to have a sense of belonging to
a profession with the stature of engineers or programmers other recognized
areas of expertise. Reaching out to students is a vital way of increasing
that self-awareness, in my opinion.

My advice is to vigorously make your case with the local STC people, and try
to make them see the mutual benefits of getting students involved in the
local chapter. See if you can contact the regional representatives. If they
are more open to your appeal, they might be able to influence the local
chapter. If there is continued resistance, definitely pursue the Student
Chapter option.

Good luck.

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