Mark Bronny (mbronny@rogers.com)
After contributing the first section of my interview with Jim Maloney of Seneca's Technical Communication program in the last newsletter, I was pleased to receive a few follow-up e-mails from other applicants who showed interest in learning more about the program. Although I am not an expert on the subject - I highly recommend contacting previous graduates and the program's team of administrators for more information - I feel that my position as an applicant along with my "newbie" status in the field of technical communications give me a fresh perspective on the research and application phases concerning this program.
Thus I would like to take this opportunity to write about the second part of my interview with Mr. Maloney. In doing so, I hope to directly answer some of the follow-up questions I had received in response to my first article on the subject published in the Winter 2006/2007 issue of Communication Times.
Q. Are classes scheduled on weekdays or weekends? At what time of day/night are classes usually scheduled?
A. Classes are on weekdays, between 8am-6pm, and are never on weekends.
Q. What are the assignments like?
A. Assignments are pertinent to the course. The focus is on practice rather than theory, for example: manipulating HTML on websites; creating and editing documents.
Q. How much "homework" is usually assigned per day/week?
A. Students can be expected to complete as much as double the hours of classroom time in homework (approx. 16 hours per week). Homework is particularly heavy in the first seven weeks of the second semester (major projects assigned at this time).
Q. Is there extra help available when needed?
A. Students can come in for help any time that the instructor is available (this is part of Seneca's policy). Students can also send their questions and concerns to the course instructor via e-mail.
Q. What is the grading system like?
A. Grading is similar to the standard university letter grading system. Grades are primarily based on small assignments - such as weekly "deliverables" - and major projects; final exams are rare.
Q. As a result of the program's full-time requirements, do students sometimes experience difficulty balancing work and school commitments?
A. Of course, due mainly to the program's full-time requirements and intensive nature. Therefore, a very limited amount of part-time hours are recommended for working students (12-15/week maximum).
Q. What happens in the event that a placement does not work out; for example, in the event that the employer relocates or files for bankruptcy?
A. To this date, this problem has never occurred. However, in such a circumstance Seneca College would take the appropriate steps to help the affected student find an alternative placement, depending on how late in the COOP term the issue arises.
Q. When is the deadline for a student to cancel registration and receive a complete refund (for reasons such as moving away, employment commitments, etc.)? Are there penalties?
A. Students are able to cancel their registration up until the tenth day of classes to receive a full refund (minus a $100 administration fee and the original $85 college application fee).
Q. What benefits are there for graduates possessing an Ontario College Graduate Certificate from Seneca's TECC program as compared to the benefits of completing a Technical Writing Certificate from another institution such as Humber College or George Brown College?
A. Seneca's students receive more education due to the fact that they spend more hours learning both within the classroom and at the COOP placement. Seneca's TECC program is also more comprehensive, deals with relevant assignments at once, and offers access to key software. Furthermore, class interaction is a very important component of the program and provides students with important networking opportunities, as well as the potential for students to develop valuable work contacts at their COOP placements. In some cases, students can earn enough money during their COOP term to pay off their tuition costs. Seneca's program has also benefited from a solid reputation as a result of its many successful graduates in the field.
Q. Documentation is moving towards newer technologies and processes such as structured writing and enterprise content management. Does Seneca's program prepare students for this?
A. Structured writing - Yes. Enterprise content management - No.
Q. Technical writers are often called on to work in other areas such as writing error messages, working on marketing materials such as Release Notes, making UI suggestions, and naming classes and objects in the code. Do you (or how do you) encourage students to be aware of these other areas?
A. The program coordinators try to incorporate a wide range of work that students would encounter in the field. Writing error messages are covered in the 'online help' section of the course; however, Release Notes is not covered much while making UI Suggestions is not part of the current program.
Q. In which area(s) of the technical writing field do most graduates find employment?
A. Most graduates of our program find employment in the software and services sectors.
Q. What is the average age range of students in the program?
A. In recent years the course has been made up of a very diverse group of students. However, when the program was first started the average age of students was fairly high.
Q. Are students made aware of the STC?
A. Yes, students are made aware of both the STC and specifically the Toronto STC chapter.
Once again, I am very grateful to Mr. Maloney for taking the time to answer my many questions back in November and for giving me a clearer idea of what Seneca's TECC program is about. I hope that our interview and my two articles on the subject will help to promote an increased level of understanding and appreciation for one of Ontario's premiere Technical Communications programs.
For additional information about Seneca's TECC program, please visit these websites:
I should also mention that the STC Toronto website (www.stctoronto.org) features a great section on 'education' that contains many useful links and information concerning Technical Communications programs offered throughout Canada.
When not researching his options for further education, Mark Bronny is helping out at Forum Architect Corporation while trying to figure out how he can put his English degree to good use.
Specific Course Questions
COOP Placement Questions
General Course Questions