Writing for Business and Success

The Southwestern Ohio chapter of the Society for Technical Communication — in conjunction with the Mad Anthony Writers’ Conference and Book Festival — presents

A Technical Communication Workshop Series

This is for all you non-members out there. Have you always wondered what technical communication really is? Are you pondering a new career in technical communication? Do you wonder how technical communication can help you reach your business goals? Please join us for an informative half-day introduction to technical communication.

Sessions will include:

Introduction to Technical Communication
What is technical communication? Who are technical communicators? What do they do and how do learn to do it? Sandra Harner of Cedarville University provides an introduction for those considering careers in technical communication.

Technical Communication and Your Bottom Line
What role do technical communicators play in business? What are their key functions? How do they contribute to the bottom line? Sylvia Miller provides an overview of how technical communicators impact government and industry.

Panel Discussion: Technical Communication as a Profession
What is it like to work in technical communication? What skills, training and personal characteristics do you need to succeed? Where could you end up working? Hear from Thea Teich, Sylvia Miller, Louise Tincher, and Judith Harper — professionals with more than 50 years of combined experience working in technical communication for local employers.

Also includes the STC Traveling Exhibits. Online and printed examples of the winning entries from the STC International 2007 competitions. The exhibits provide examples of high-quality technical communications.

Sandra Harner developed the Technical and Professional Communication program at Cedarville University in 1984, transforming it from a minor in the English department to a full-blown major by 1992. She was named a Fellow by the Society of Technical Communication in 2001 and served on their Board of Directors as assistant to the president for academic and research programs for eight years. She is currently part of a team defining the Body of Knowledge essential to the profession of technical communication.

Sylvia Miller has worked in technical communication for 18 years. Starting out as an English teacher, she discovered technical writing while pursuing a Master’s at UD. She fell in love with the field and has never looked back. Sylvia has earned numerous awards for her work and contributions to the profession. She is an STC Associate Fellow and served as Instructional Design and Learning Special Interest Group membership and scholarship manager. She currently serves on the board of Cedarville University’s Technical and Professional Communication program.

After 20 years working for major industries, government agencies, and non-profits, Thea Teich started Teich Technical and Marketing Communications in 1995. TTMC offers technical and marketing communications services, including Web content and report development, editing, writing, indexing, and marketing consultation to clients in the software, manufacturing, financial services, publishing, pharmaceutical, and marketing research industries. Thea is a Society of Technical Communication Fellow and served on the STC Board of Directors from 1998 to 2004, including a year as president of the Society (2003-2004).

Louise Tincher has more than 10 years experience as a writer and editor supporting engineering and technology organizations. After eight years in technology sales and a serious career assessment, she switched tracks to technical communications. Louise draws on her varied background to help companies achieve their goals through more effective communications. She employs a structured approach to document development, using standard templates, processes and procedures to improve quality while reducing costs. She is current president of SWO-STC.

The beautifully restored historic YWCA of Hamilton
244 Dayton Street
Hamilton, Ohio

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009

Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm

Registration:

• Adults: $25 / $30 at the door
• Students: $20 / $25 at the door
• Register at www.madanthonycbf.org or call the YWCA at 513-856-9800

All proceeds benefit the YWCA Family Literacy Program.