Industry jobs with PhD in Technical Communication

[Lauren]

I think that one of primary purposes of a PhD is to provide for greater
teaching, writing (books), and research opportunities.  My understanding is
that a person generally pursues a PhD to provide a foundation for
university-level teaching. 

Obtaining a PhD requires that a person research a new part of the particular
field of study.  If TechComm is your passion, then the research aspects of a
PhD can be rewarding.  Since the focus of study must be unique, a holder of
a PhD becomes an expert in the field of study with respect to the focus of
the study.  Masters degree study is generally focused on established rather
than unique principles.

Do you think that TechComm can provide you with enough diversity and
research opportunities for developing your dissertation?  I think that areas
that would be interesting for TechComm are learning methods for typical,
workplace users of documents, the scope of technical communication,
technical communication for international audiences that considers social
norms and language use, ramifications of technical communication in
government and military documents, legalities of private sector technical
communication, and I imagine that there are few more interesting areas of
study that could support a PhD.  I guess TechComm as PhD subject is bigger
than I originally thought.

Lauren

> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lauren=writeco.net at lists.techwr-l.com 
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lauren=writeco.net at lists.techwr-l.com
> ] On Behalf Of Rob Hudson
> Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 11:43 AM
> To: TECHWR-L
> Subject: Re: Industry jobs with PhD in Technical Communication
> 
> 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.
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