October 8, 1998

Contact: Timothy McKernan, (619) 594-2588

 

Not just for the left-brained: SDSU’s Technical Writing Program carves a place in the high-tech world for liberal arts majors

 

San Diego's burgeoning high-technology industries may seem to be the domain of scientists and engineers, but thanks to an innovative program at San Diego State University, liberal arts majors can also find lucrative places in the high-tech sun.

"Communication is a vital element in any time of business, but it has an added importance in the high-tech world," said Cezar Ornatowski, director of the Certificate Program in Technical and Scientific Writing at SDSU. "Most of us have probably experienced the frustration of dealing with badly designed manuals for VCRs, hardware, or software. But technical communication is more than manuals. It includes all of the information, written and on-screen, that makes our complex world run. Technical communicators make information useful to people who need it."

Launched in 1982, when San Diego’s high-tech economy was still in its infancy, the program at SDSU is one of the oldest of its kind in the nation. Demand for highly qualified technical communicators keeps growing nationally and locally. Computer, software, manufacturing, telecommunication and biotechnology industries are the major employers of technical writers.

"Not all technical writing is necessarily very 'technical," Ornatowski stressed. "On the contrary, complex technical and scientific material has to be explained to a wide range of information users: consumers, investors, government oversight agencies, experts in other areas. That is where the intelligence, general education, wide reading, and strong writing skills of liberal arts graduates can be a real strength. Engineers and scientists are often the last people who can clearly explain what they know to the layperson."

Not just for the left-brained

Students in the program include working professionals from a wide variety of educational and career backgrounds who want to become technical writers or better communicators in their jobs, working technical writers who want to improve their skills, and post-baccalaureate students from all educational backgrounds who want to broaden their career options. "Many of our students are English or creative writing graduate students who want other options besides teaching or writing the great American novel." Ornatowski said.

The program includes an internship, which often turns into a permanent position. Students are also encouraged to get involved in the local chapter of the Society for Technical Communication, to attend monthly meetings, and contribute to the chapter newsletter. All this provides opportunities to network and make valuable contacts.

"Many students get jobs while they are still in the program,” according to Ornatowksi. “Graduates like to hire other graduates as their company or department grows; there is a whole network out there. Right now, I have more job openings on my desk than students ready to take them. Times for professional communicators are good."

To learn more about this program, or to arrange an interview with Dr. Ornatowski, please call Timothy McKernan at (619) 594-2588.