Presentation given by Steve Jong on STC certification at the Carolina Chapter meeting on Aug 19, 2010. See http://www.stc-carolina.org/STC+Certification+-+Aug+2010+Chapter+Meeting for details.

1. 1 Technical Communication Certification:20 Questions Answered Steven Jong STC Certification Committee

2. 2 Who is Steve and why is he here? STC Senior Member (1982–) Active in publications competitions at chapter and international levels (1992–) Boston Chapter president, 2004–2005 STC Director at Large, 2007–2010 Chairman, STC Certification Task Force, 2007–2010 Chairman, STC Certification Committee (2010–)

3. 3 What is certification? The process through which an organization grants recognition to an individual ... [who] meets certain established criteria. “Certificate” versus “certification” “Certification” versus “licensure” “Licensure” versus “accreditation” 3 Certification Committee Carolina Chapter, August 2010

4. 4 What does this have to do with our profession? A profession is marked by three attributes: A unique body of knowledge A code of ethics Certification of qualified practitioners

5. 5 What took so long? First discussed in 1964(!) First sanctioned work: Ad Hoc Committee on Certification in 1975 Membership surveys: 1975, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1995, 1997 Certification RFP issued in 1985; response not pursued Feasibility study commissioned in 1998 Began work on Body of Knowledge (BoK) in 2007 Benchmarking report on professions in 2008 Value proposition adopted in 2009 Certification program approved by Board on 30 April 2010

6. 6 Why did STC finally accept certification? Legitimize the contributions of, and respect for, our profession Establish uniform worldwide performance standards Increase the employability and salary of certified practitioners Satisfy employers’ expectations Reduce hiring risk for employers Bring in non-dues revenue for the Society

7. 7 What is STC trying to achieve? Certification is voluntary Certification focuses on uniform areas of practice where technical communicators provide unique value Applicants must meet prerequisites to be eligible for certification Applicants must demonstrate knowledge, skills, and experience Assessment involves a variety of methods A core certification provides the basis for certification growth Applicants must agree to adhere to the STC Code of Ethics Opportunities are provided to applicants for remediation Once granted, certification must be maintained

8. 8 What is STC certifying? User, task, and experience analysis Information design Process management Information development Information production Review coordination and reconciliation

9. 9 What’s the value of certification?

10. 10 What’s in it for me?

11. 11 What’s in it for employers? Employers find that certified professionals are more often competent and successful than uncertified ones Employers spend less to hire, train, and replace certified employees Therefore, employers seek out and pay more for certified professionals

12. 12 What’s it gonna cost? TBD, but consider these association fees: ISPI: $995 The Data Warehousing Institute: $975 ASTD: $799 Human Factors International: $750 IEEE: $645 STC online certificate course $595 (member) APMP: $450 ASQ: $450 IIBA: $450 PMI: $405 Accreditation in Public Relations: $385 ABC: $320 AMWA (certificate): $275 BELS: $250

13. 13 What might be in the application packet? Résumé or curriculum vitae Attestation from you and your client (boss) Signed Code of Ethics Work samples and artifacts Accounts (stories) of projects

14. 14 How will evaluation work? Several sessions per year Application screened by STC office Packet examined by three trained evaluators (who receive honoraria) Under non-disclosure Each evaluator looks at three packets (evaluator-applicant ratio is 1:1) Evaluate against established criteria Results: 3–0 vote: certify 2–1 vote: return for clarification 1–2 or 0–3 vote: reject

15. 15 What about the BoK? The STC BoK is being fleshed out It will become the basis for future examinations It will become the basis for future specialty certifications

16. 16 Certificate Plaque Pin Logo Designation Listing on Web site What are certification marks? Steven Jong, RTFM

17. 17 I have a tech comm degree. Why should I get certified? Certification assesses both what you know and what you’ve done However, a technical communication degree (or equivalent) is a solid foundation to becoming certified

18. 18 I can’t demonstrate/don’t know an area. How can I get certified? Use completed projects, not current ones Use samples from previous jobs Redact samples Do the case study instead Take a class first

19. 19 I’m not a writer. What about me? Specialty certifications (future) Requires BoK Opportunity for partnerships

20. 20 Will I have to maintain my certification? Yes—certification is good for three years To maintain it, continue your education to maintain current skills or learn new skills, and stay active in field Reapplication packet contains fee and proof of course attendance Screened by STC office Results: Recertify or return

21. 21 Only STC has the international reach to offer international certification We can use the same model internationally Requires the BoK We must revalidate our work outside the North American market What about international certification?

22. Certification Committee Carolina Chapter, August 2010 22

23. Certification Committee Carolina Chapter, August 2010 If you want to learn moreor help out STC Certification Committee Steven Jong, stevefjong@comcast.net 23