Technical Communications Department
 | What are the objectives of the Technical Communications (TECO) courses at De Anza College? |
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| What does a technical writer do? Or what's so great about being a technical writer? |
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| What industries hire technical communicators? |
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| What are some other job titles for technical communicators? |
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| What do employers want of their technical communicators? |
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| What are the backgrounds of De Anza Technical Communications students? |
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| What courses are required for the Technical Communications Certificate? |
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| Could I waive any of the required courses? |
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| What elective Technical Communications courses are available? |
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| When are Technical Communications courses offered? |
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| What is required for an Associates Degree in Technical Communications? |
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| What is the Technical Communications Industry Advisory Board (IAB) at De Anza College? How does the IAB work with the De Anza Faculty to keep TECO course information current with industry requirements? |
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| What facilities are available at De Anza for use in hands-on technical writing experience? |
Students progress through the series of TECO courses and master increasingly complex material. The type of writing, target audience, and concepts intensify in difficulty from writing short documents to preparing camera-ready manuals.
In addition, each class explores career and professional opportunities. Students learn about professional organizations and meet experts in Technical Communications.
What does a technical writer do? Or, what's so great about being a technical writer?
A technical writer's field is vast and varied. It combines good writing skills, a love for learning, and the most sophisticated technology available today.
Technical writers organize information into a readable/useful format. To produce documents, manuals, procedures, letters and reports, technical writers use a variety of skills:
People with multi-dimensional skills work easily under the umbrella of Technical Communications. To combine an individual's flair for writing with technical knowledge to produce a spectrum of publications is the technical writer's credo. The desire and ability to learn continuously is a prerequisite for a technical writer.
What industries hire technical communicators?
These industries are traditionally associated with technical writing and hire the most writers:
What are some other job titles for technical communicators?
Job titles vary by company and industry. Common titles include:
What do employers want of their technical communicators?
Employers expect technical communicators to have excellent written and grammatical skills. To be successful, technical writers must also possess strong interpersonal communication, analysis, and time-management skills. Employers want someone who is flexible, learns quickly, works well individually and in a team, accepts criticism of his or her work, and meets tight deadlines.
Employers also look for people who have experience in the following areas:
What are the backgrounds of De Anza Technical Communications students?
Most students in the TECO program have previously earned bachelors or advanced degrees. They range in age from 25 to 65 years old; over 60% are women. These students have widely ranging backgrounds in music, journalism, engineering, nursing, teaching, computer science and other disciplines. Often, Technical Communications students are changing careers. To become a successful technical writer, a student needs to acquire a technical background or build on a technical background previously acquired.
What courses are required for the Technical Communications Certificate?
The minimum requirement for a certificate in Technical Communications is the completion of the following courses with a grade of 2.0 or higher:
Could I waive any of the required courses?
It is possible to waive only TECO 61, the first of the required courses. Qualified students may complete the Technical Communications Certificate requirements in three quarters by waiving TECO 61. Qualification involves current competency in technical writing as demonstrated by your responses on the Waiver Petition Form.
Although it may be possible for you to obtain an approved waiver for TECO 61, we still highly recommend the course for most students. In TECO 61, you will develop fluency in non-literary writing and familiarity with technical writing practices.
However, if you feel confident that you are qualified to waive TECO 61 and begin the Technical Communications Certificate with TECO 62, please complete the Waiver Petition Form available from the De Anza College Language Arts Division Office. The approved or denied waiver form is entered in your permanent student file.
Note: No certificate will be granted if you do not have an approved waiver on file for TECO 61. If any of the data you supply is not correct or original, approval will be revoked.
Return to top of TECO FAQWhat elective Technical Communications courses are available?
TECO 71, Designing and Writing Online Documentation is an elective course that is offered by the Technical Communications Department. Check the current Schedule of Classes.
TECO 66 courses, Special Topics in Technical Communications, are frequently offered. Special topics courses have included Document Planning and Scheduling, Technical Editing, and Writing for Publication (non-fiction).
Return to top of TECO FAQWhen are Technical Communications courses offered?
The four required courses are offered in the evening. TECO 61 and TECO 62 are offered in the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer quarters. TECO 63 and 64 are offered in the Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters. TECO 71 and TECO 66 - Special Topics courses are typically offered on Saturdays. See the Schedule of Classes for Details.
The average student can complete the required course work in one year, if he or she attends classes all four quarters. The certificate program can be completed on a part-time basis.
What is required for an Associates Degree in Technical Communications?
Contact the Counseling Center for precise requirements and academic planning.
What is the Technical Communications Industry Advisory Board(IAB) at De Anza College? How does the IAB work with the De Anza Faculty to keep TECO course information current with industry requirements?
The Technical Communications Industry Advisory Board is a group of professionals representing various industry and academic backgrounds, specialties, and interests. Board members meet quarterly to discuss curriculum, program policies, and industry trends.
The IAB strives to establish guidelines so that De Anza TECO classes include a curriculum which meets or exceeds industry requirements. Invited guests frequently attend and participate in Board meetings, providing suggestions for enhancing the overall Technical Communications program.
Board membership signifies a commitment to help develop a closer association between the TECO department, the corporate community, and professional organizations, such as the Society for Technical Communications (STC). As a result, exciting programs are emerging, including internships with local companies, guest speaker engagements with classes, and student attendance at monthly STC meetings.
What facilities are available at De Anza for hands-on use for technical writing?
The Student Publications and Design Center located in room L-41 on the De Anza campus, includes a classroom, office, library, two darkrooms, and a Macintosh computer laboratory. Donna Dowdney directs the Center's facilities, schedules, equipment and personnel. The Center is the home for the production of several collaborative, multi- disciplinary projects:While enrolled at De Anza, a student may arrange to use the lab either through working on one of the previously mentioned projects, or by contacting Dr. Dowdney directly.
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Date Last Modified: March 13, 1997