Mark Bronny (mbronny@rogers.com)

Being a relatively recent university graduate with a B.A. in English, I have been looking to refine my career objective through some kind of specialized training in a discipline related to my degree. With that in mind, I decided last year to do some research on technical communications programs offered in Toronto and the GTA. After realizing that I had missed some of the deadlines for enrolment in the 2006-2007 school semester, my goal became to learn as much as I could about these programs in order to make the best decision before the next round of admissions. (Note that the official annual admissions deadline for Seneca's TECC program is February 2nd, although enrolment after that date is on a "first come first serve basis" up until the course is full).

During my tireless quest for knowledge, I had the opportunity to meet with Program Coordinator Jim Maloney last November for an information interview about Seneca's Technical Communications course. The program's official webpage address is http://www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/TECC.html, and there you can find most of the necessary information about the program as well as the admissions criteria and contact information.

However, after spending many hours analyzing the abovementioned website's contents, I managed to come up with a series of my own questions for Mr. Maloney that would help me gain an even greater understanding of Seneca's Technical Communications course. I also realized that the information I had collected from our interview would probably be useful to others who may be considering a technical communications course in 2007; therefore, I have listed some of the main points of my information interview with Mr. Maloney below (which I have paraphrased based on the notes that I had taken at the time).

Q. Should candidates have a few years of experience as tech writers before enrolling, or can applicants from unrelated fields, newly graduated college students, and others be accepted and do well in this program?

A. Prior experience in the field of Technical Communications is not necessary. However, applicants should have linguistic competence (good reading/writing skills) and be relatively tech savvy. HR departments in major companies are beginning to look for specialized training, thus Seneca's TECC Diploma can be an important addition to other education backgrounds.

Q. Under "program eligibility", what exactly do you expect of applicants in terms of academic credentials, work record and relevant work experience?

A. A three year diploma is the minimum requirement; however, there are no restrictions based on the degree major. In terms of work record, 3-5 years relevant experience is necessary, preferably with experience in writing and editing documents, although many different types of work experience may be considered acceptable (including call-centre experience).

Q. What should a prospective student do to prepare for the program?

A. Prospective students should get computer savvy (knowledge of MS-Word is particularly useful), as well as become aware of the overall environment in which technical communications takes place, whether it be through web-based research, conducting information interviews, reading relevant literature, or from volunteering in relevant work environments. Students should also make an effort to learn about and become involved in the STC. Lastly, prospective students should hone their writing skills.

Q. How are classes structured?

A. Most classes are based around classroom discussion. There are no tutorials, just a combination of lectures and workshops (i.e. workshops in computer labs), although lectures are the smaller part of the two.

Q. Are CO-OP placements guaranteed for everyone in the program?

A. Placements are not 100% guaranteed, but in the 2005-2006 academic session, 19/20 students found a placement. Students usually earn between $14-16/hr. while working at their placements and occasionally even more.

Q. How much flexibility are students given in choosing a placement?

A. Students have total flexibility in the selection process: all potential placements are listed online and everyone is given equal opportunity to apply. Most placements are located in the GTA, but placements as far away as Ottawa and even Edmonton have been established in the past.

Q. Can you tell me more about the competition process for placements?

A. The competition process is based on the "real world" where the employer decides who is the best candidate for each position. Their decision is based on the student's resume, cover letter, portfolio (if required, but usually limited), and student's background. Seneca has little involvement in the selection process.

Q. What are some of the costs associated with the program; for example, tuition, materials, etc.?

A. The first semester costs $2,579.00; the second semester costs $1,665.79; books cost $800; therefore, the total cost is $5,044.79 including the coop fee and books (this information was provided by Mary Campbell, Admissions Advisor).

Q. What advice would you give to people considering a career in technical communication?

A. Prospective students are encouraged to research the field of technical communications prior to taking the course and become familiar with the expectations and duties of the technical communicator. Students should also evaluate their own skills, interests, and personality traits and find out if these are consistent with the career descriptions and expectations related to technical communications (as is the case for other professions, a career in technical communication is not for everyone). Lastly, it is an advantage for prospective students to be comfortable in paying great attention to detail while doing their work.