Comments on: Thoughts on STC? http://blog.paulpehrson.com/2007/02/26/thoughts-on-stc/ Paul Pehrson's technical writing blog Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:58:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Erin http://blog.paulpehrson.com/2007/02/26/thoughts-on-stc/#comment-28232 Erin Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:45:06 +0000 http://blog.paulpehrson.com/2007/02/26/thoughts-on-stc/#comment-28232 I just renewed my subscription as well, mainly because it only cost me half as much (I joined mid-year last year so they applied half of the fee to this year). However I think this is the last year I will be doing it. I enjoy their magazine, but that's about it. Even though my job isn't so technical at the moment, I like to have their articles around for future reference. For me, I think IABC is a better choice, just because I work with business writing. I am going to their convention in April in Chicago and I'm pretty excited about it. I've never been excited about an STC convention.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('28232','Erin'); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('28232','Erin','I just renewed my subscription as well, mainly because it only cost me half as much (I joined mid-year last year so they applied half of the fee to this year). However I think this is the last year I will be doing it. I enjoy their magazine, but that\'s about it. Even though my job isn\'t so technical at the moment, I like to have their articles around for future reference. For me, I think IABC is a better choice, just because I work with business writing. I am going to their convention in April in Chicago and I\'m pretty excited about it. I\'ve never been excited about an STC convention.'); return false;">Quote</a></div> I just renewed my subscription as well, mainly because it only cost me half as much (I joined mid-year last year so they applied half of the fee to this year). However I think this is the last year I will be doing it. I enjoy their magazine, but that’s about it. Even though my job isn’t so technical at the moment, I like to have their articles around for future reference. For me, I think IABC is a better choice, just because I work with business writing. I am going to their convention in April in Chicago and I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve never been excited about an STC convention.
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]]> By: Dave http://blog.paulpehrson.com/2007/02/26/thoughts-on-stc/#comment-26137 Dave Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:56:39 +0000 http://blog.paulpehrson.com/2007/02/26/thoughts-on-stc/#comment-26137 When I switched jobs, I wasn't sure if I was going to renew my membership either. After all, it is $150. I also analyzed the relative value. Here's my list: --Intercom, the STC's magazine, often has useful articles that I enjoy reading. --I know many employers look for that STC membership in their applicants. --I receive job postings and have access to the STC's career site. Other than that, I really didn't see a value. I imagine that if I was active in the regional meetings that I would get more out of it, but I'm not at this time. What it really came down to, though, was I decided that if I had to pay for it, I wasn't going to sign up. Most of the things I find valuable would only apply to me if I was currently seeking a job, which I'm not. When you add in the fact that all my previous jobs were found without the use of the STC, I found even less reasons. There are many tech writers who think the STC has outlived its usefulness. I disagree with that stance, but at this time in my life and career the STC has limited value to me because I choose not to participate more actively. Maybe it'd help if they held meetings closer to home.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('26137','Dave'); return false;">Reply</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('26137','Dave','When I switched jobs, I wasn\'t sure if I was going to renew my membership either. After all, it is $150. I also analyzed the relative value. Here\'s my list:\r\n\r\n--Intercom, the STC\'s magazine, often has useful articles that I enjoy reading.\r\n--I know many employers look for that STC membership in their applicants.\r\n--I receive job postings and have access to the STC\'s career site.\r\n\r\nOther than that, I really didn\'t see a value. I imagine that if I was active in the regional meetings that I would get more out of it, but I\'m not at this time.\r\n\r\nWhat it really came down to, though, was I decided that if I had to pay for it, I wasn\'t going to sign up. Most of the things I find valuable would only apply to me if I was currently seeking a job, which I\'m not. When you add in the fact that all my previous jobs were found without the use of the STC, I found even less reasons. \r\n\r\nThere are many tech writers who think the STC has outlived its usefulness. I disagree with that stance, but at this time in my life and career the STC has limited value to me because I choose not to participate more actively. \r\n\r\nMaybe it\'d help if they held meetings closer to home.'); return false;">Quote</a></div> When I switched jobs, I wasn’t sure if I was going to renew my membership either. After all, it is $150. I also analyzed the relative value. Here’s my list:

–Intercom, the STC’s magazine, often has useful articles that I enjoy reading.
–I know many employers look for that STC membership in their applicants.
–I receive job postings and have access to the STC’s career site.

Other than that, I really didn’t see a value. I imagine that if I was active in the regional meetings that I would get more out of it, but I’m not at this time.

What it really came down to, though, was I decided that if I had to pay for it, I wasn’t going to sign up. Most of the things I find valuable would only apply to me if I was currently seeking a job, which I’m not. When you add in the fact that all my previous jobs were found without the use of the STC, I found even less reasons.

There are many tech writers who think the STC has outlived its usefulness. I disagree with that stance, but at this time in my life and career the STC has limited value to me because I choose not to participate more actively.

Maybe it’d help if they held meetings closer to home.

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