Recent content in News & Notes and Intercom and on STC’s Web site has detailed STC’s efforts to change how the U.S. government defines our profession in the Standard Occupational Classifications (SOC). The SOC are used by all state and federal publications when occupational data are provided.
The following list summarizes each resource and provides a link to where it can be found.
By Mike Murray
STC Board of Directors
By now, I hope you're all aware of the changes taking place in our profession. We're moving from being "technical writers" to "technical communicators," and it's more than just a change in job titles. (Read "Technical Communicator," Your Time has Come and From Writer to Communicator to learn more.)
This movement is taking place both in the workplace and, now, in academe. On March 19, STC Treasurer W.C. Wiese and I attended a meeting of the faculty of the University of Central Florida's technical writing program. I'm pleased to report that we had significant success in making the case for a switch to "technical communication."
Economist Rick O'Sullivan directs efforts to change how the U.S. government collects information on our profession.
