By Joy Carandang, STC Student Member
Last month, I had the pleasure of attending the 2024 STC Summit in Bloomington, Minnesota, alongside my colleagues and friends from the Future Technical Communicators (FTC) club at the University of Central Florida and the STC Florida Chapter. As a student volunteer and first-time attendee, I am grateful to have had the chance to travel to our field’s annual premier conference through the support of our faculty advisors, FTC-STC Florida leadership, and donors.
I was delighted to meet many talented individuals across our global community, gain valuable insights into the future of our profession, and collect abundant resources to develop my professional growth. Below are four major takeaways from my experience:
STC is a Diverse, Supportive Community
From students to early-career and established professionals, STC members represent a variety of diverse cultures, ethnicities, genders, ages, and abilities. My favorite memory throughout the conference was meeting people from all over the world. Learning about how Technical Communication roles vary based on localization, industry, and experience level was eye-opening. Connecting with others with similar interests and experiences was equally reassuring, as it gave me fresh perspectives on navigating the job market, establishing digital footprints, and finding where I fit in.
Undeniably, the Society for Technical Communication is filled with talented and supportive individuals who genuinely want their colleagues to succeed. Every panel, educational program, social, and meal allowed everyone to share their unique stories and exchange words of encouragement and advice. Some lessons that have stuck with me include being adaptable and kind to others, staying true to yourself, and never fearing to speak up and ask questions. The welcoming and positive atmosphere made fostering new connections seamless and enjoyable.
There’s a Niche for Everyone!
Before attending the Summit, I could not wait to broaden my knowledge of instructional design, technical editing, and user experience. While there, the people I met and the programs I attended broadened my understanding of the number of industries that Technical Communicators belong to, including:
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- Advertising
- Artificial Intelligence, Virtual and Augmented Reality
- Consulting
- Consumer Electronics
- Cybersecurity
- Defense
- Engineering
- Finance
- Government
- Healthcare
- Science
- Software Development
- Translation
- Video Games
No matter where your current interests lie or how they will ultimately evolve, the potential to continue expanding your skill set and specialization(s) is endless. As a Tech Comm enthusiast, I enjoyed seeing the scope of career paths and options available.
Lifelong Learning and Professional Development are Key
The conference was packed with engaging and entertaining programs full of valuable insights. Each presenter, panelist, and moderator did a terrific job curating their presentations for Technical Communicators of all backgrounds and experience levels. This year, I had a blast volunteering and immersing myself in events covering various fascinating and valuable topics, including dynamic documentation, graphic design, soft skills, technical editing, instructional design, resume review, networking, and job searching. I left the conference feeling motivated to continue my Tech Comm journey and eager to grow my skills and professional development.
Volunteering as a Fulfilling Experience
What is fantastic about being a student volunteer is the opportunity to collaborate with students and professionals who are incredibly passionate about Tech Comm and want to make lasting impacts in our profession. We distributed badges at the registration booth, facilitated Q&A sessions, and assisted speakers with presentations, and each experience brought a sense of purpose, excitement, and belonging.
I recommend that if you’re interested in volunteering or attending an upcoming Summit conference, you should do so! Not only do you discover first-hand insights into emerging trends and technologies, but you also get to be part of a community that celebrates the individuality and achievements of all of its members. If you attended this year’s conference in Bloomington, Minnesota, please let me know what memorable moments you had. I would love to hear from you!