The SeptemberNovember/December issue of Intercom is now online. This issue is guest edited by Leah Guren and has a theme of Tech Comm 101. We've opened this issue up to the public, too, so we invite you to share it with friends, colleagues, and coworkers, and share one of the many benefits of STC membership. Below is the note from the guest editor by Leah. STC would like to thank Adobe for sponsoring this issue.
I love this profession—its endless opportunities, fascinating niches, and perfect blend of crisp, hard, technical data with soft, subjective, human factors. I’ve spent over 33 years in this field and I can’t imagine another career that would suit me so well. But the truth is that I entered the field by accident—sideways, if you will. It all started during my undergraduate studies, when I found a part-time job with a small software company near the university. I started as a general assistant within the R&D department, but as soon as the engineers discovered that I could write, I found myself working on documentation. By the time I graduated, this part-time job had become much more than a necessary paycheck; I had found my calling and never looked back.
The profession has changed significantly since 1980. Now, new practitioners are finding it difficult to enter the field without some formal training. As the profession is more widely recognized and supported by more academic programs, employers are expecting some proof that applicants have mastered at least the basics in this complex and demanding profession. 
These basics can be illustrated in my pyramid of technical communication skill and knowledge areas.
I’ve met many technical communication practitioners who, like me, entered the field sideways, but became so busy learning about the product and the tools that they never stopped to learn the theory, improve their written communication skills, or develop visual and design skills. Clearly, years in the field are not a guarantee of expertise and knowledge.
In this issue, I’ve recruited a mix of seasoned veterans and younger practitioners to share their insights and wisdom so that entry-level technical communicators can become true professionals. STC Fellow John Hedtke gives us a glimpse into his vast experience (and quirky humor) with some of the most useful career hacks you will ever read. Past President Linda Oestreich clearly maps out what you need to have and what you need to know to get started. Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, a relatively new STC member, provides excellent guidelines to help you decide on the right business model when starting out on your own. And finally, STC’s favorite fiction author, Andrea J. Wenger, explains how fiction writers can transition into technical communication by both building on some existing skills and modifying others. And finally, the always tool-savvy Geoff Hart explains the wisdom of automating tasks. I am confident that both new technical communicators and seasoned professionals will find something useful in these articles.
Finally, my advice to new technical communicators is to think very carefully about what you call yourself and how you perceive yourself. If you see yourself as a “tech writer” in a cube farm, you may be missing out on the rich variety, intellectual stimulation, and financial rewards that are there for the asking. Think big and dream bigger. I’ll see you at the Summit!
It was an honor and a pleasure to work with Leah on my contribution to this issue of InterCom!