This is the first of two blogs describing the benefits of STC membership and attending the annual STC international conferences. STC Dues and STC annual conferences are certainly expensive, but well worth the cost. However, if you are employed by a company, university or organization, you may be able to get your dues and conference (Summit) costs paid for you by your employer. These blogs will provide key points to help prepare an effective proposal or request for support from your employer.
STC, or course, is the premier organization in the technical communication field. Seminars, publications, presentations are all available to enhance your knowledge in the field. Also, chapter meetings and annual Summits provide wonderful networking opportunities. Technical communication competitions provide the opportunity to have your work evaluated and to receive writing awards. The contacts you meet at STC events can give you a better feel for solving workplace problems and understanding issues. Nearly every day STC members send group emails posing questions on various STC networks, asking for advice or information about tools, contracts, ethical questions, job issues, etc.
Of course, the STC chapters and Society headquarters are excellent resources for jobs and people to fill jobs. Naturally, the people in STC are most likely to qualify to fill most technical communication positions.
Any of the above resources are worth the annual dues.
Feel free to use the arguments provided above. Make sure you emphasize how the benefits of STC membership make you a more valuable professional.
Bill Leavitt has been a member of STC for more than 50 years. He is an STC Fellow and a past international president. He has written a variety of books on construction and architecture, history, and retirement planning. Bill’s latest book is entitled Retirement: Life’s Greatest Adventure. The book contains guidance for how people thinking about retiring can best prepare for retirement and also suggestions for those who have retired but may not have discovered all the joys of retirement [RetirementLifesGreatestAdventure.com].