Industry jobs with PhD in Technical Communication

[Rob Hudson]

After speaking with some of you who gave terrific responses, I've
modified my question somewhat:

I'm wondering about the kinds of things a PhD could do in particular
that, say, a Masters or lower candidate might not be prepared for.

To say it another way: what can I do with a PhD that I couldn't do
without? And how should I shape my strategy during school, through the
dissertation process, and once I emerge into the market to capitalize
on my new education, research, and experience?

I'm not finding a great deal of information about what people with
Tech-Comm-focused PhD's have done in industry. I can't assume all of
them are teaching. Perhaps some are full-time academics who hang a
part-time sign for contracting work.

With that in mind, a PhD would have to be geared towards a somewhat
relevant and practical stance to be effective in industry, I would
think. Nothing like "counting metaphors in pre-Windows technical
manuals."

In another sense, what could any technical writer do if he or she
planned to dedicate four years to research in the field and emerge
into industry? That's essentially what the PhD in Tech Comm does, at
least from initial perspectives.