Meetings and Workshops
Our Program Committee uses member surveys and feedback to develop programs and workshops that help technical communication professionals stay ahead of the curve. Examples of programs in our programs Using Sharepoint as a Content Management System, Grassroots Documentation Testing, Mobile Application Development, and Social Media for Technical Communicators. Meetings are structured to allow time for networking (and some meetings, like Member Appreciation Night, are nothing but social!). Visit our Programs and Events page to see what’s coming up!
Thursdays @ STC Chicago
Join us on the first Thursday of each month for our informal discussion and networking series, Thursdays @ STC Chicago, where technical communicators discuss innovative trends in the field, present their latest projects, and network with colleagues over a meal. Open to all, the events are free and are held at a variety of Chicago-area locations on the first Thursday of every month. (Note: Attendees pay for their own food and drinks.) Locations are announced on the event calendar.
Competition
The chapter’s annual competition is open to everyone who produces technical communication, instructional materials, user support, and promotional materials. Entrants and judges are not required to be members of STC. You may enter work as an individual or as the representative of an organization.
eLearning and Technology Showcase
STC Chicago partners with CISPI and CCASTD to organize and host a one-day conference that focuses on elearning tools and technology. For more information, visit the eLearning Showcase website.
Institute for Professional Development
The Institute for Professional Development is a collaborative program between STC Chicago and Northern Illinois University. During one semester each year, NIU offers a technical communication course that consists of seven Saturday workshops, each led by an expert in the workshop topic. Participants also work on hands-on projects related to the course topic. The course is design for people with little or no experience in the field, though it often enrolls a wide range of participants, including workplace professionals. Partipants may register for three hours of undergraduate or graduate credit through NIU. In the Summer of 2011, “Technical Communication in a Digital Age” addressed methods for using technology in the workplace, and for authoring, collaborating on, delivering, and receiving information within challenging new digital environments. Course content and activities offered new ways for thinking about the role of technical communication in a digital age by providing insights into structured authoring, content management, usability, social media, and online style.
Science Chicago Partner
According to David Mosena, President and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry, “Science Chicago: Life’s a Lab is about helping kids of all ages unleash their inner scientist.” We’re excited and proud to be a part of this program.
Science Fair
For more than ten years, STC Chicago has participated in the Chicago Non-Public and Public Science Expositions. We give awards for Distinguished and Excellence in Scientific Communication, evaluating student posters on the basis visual communication, writing quality, and overall presentation. We also provide speakers to schools (all levels) for Career Days, as the field of technical and scientific communication is of growing interest among students, parents, and teachers alike.
Student Scholarships
Academic scholarships are available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in technical communication programs. Announcements about the application process are usually made in the fall.
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