Do curricula in technical communication jibe with managerial expectations? A report about core competencies

This report summarizes results of survey ratings of core competencies by 67 managers of technical communicators. Competencies were extracted from an analysis of course descriptions from the ten largest undergraduate technical communication programs. This report reveals that the most important competencies for technical communicators are skills in collaborating with both subject-matter experts and co-workers; the ability to write clearly for specific audiences; the ability to assess and to learn to use technologies; and the ability to take the initiative and to evaluate one's own work and the work of others. Secondary competencies include skills in using technologies to accomplish documentation work in various media and the ability to write, edit, and test various technical communication documents. Other competencies include skills in usability testing, single-sourcing and content management, instructional design, budgeting, oral presentations, research, multimedia, and awareness of cultural differences.