Technical Communications at Utah State University

Students Often Discuss
Their Experiences in the Program

This is my last paper of the program - I graduate later this week. I have enjoyed my association with each of you throughout all the classes I have taken. The professors and students in the program without exception have been supportive and, most importantly, have brought out the best in me. Thanks to all of you, and good luck in all your future endeavors. Steve

The professor provided a template for us to examine the concept of outsourcing and creativity, steering the class in the directions we needed to go while allowing us the freedom to discover things for ourselves. Student comment extracted from course evaluation

I just wanted to point out that a lot of the knowledge I have gained in this class is applicable to real life and working as a technical communicator, which makes it even more so valuable to me.

This will be my 3rd-to-last class in the program, and I'm targeting a graduation in December 06. I'm planning on making it out to Logan to participate in the ceremony, via Denver and Seattle, so it should be a fun trip. Matt

The professor's teaching style, although confusing at first, resulted in incredible results for me in regard to material learned through exposure to fellow students as well as his own experience and instruction. Having never taken a technical writing course previous to this, I was worried about my ability to contribute -- the way the class was structured allowed me to absorb information and contribute significantly. Student comment extracted from course evaluation

Thanks for an interesting class. I always appreciate the strategic business perspective you bring. There's a time for learning what smarter people than us have to say, and there's a time for learning how to apply what we know to work through complex issues ourselves. At least that's an opinion of a non-educator. You always seem to include both.

You were correct. I sent the article on offshoring that I wrote for your class last semester to Intercom, and they are interested. I can't thank you enough for encouraging me to do that. This is my first article in my own name after years of being a ghost writer, and I'm on a euphoric high. Michelle

[NOTE: During 2006-2007 a total of nine students
published course papers in national magazines.]

I love Syllabase. I think it was used very effectively. It's always interesting to me to see how different professors have different preferences in using the technology. Syllabase is easy enough to navigate that it's simply a matter of getting to know and accustomed to what the professor prefers. Student comment extracted from course evaluation

Thanks for this advice. I grew quite frustrated trying to make comparisons (at times it felt like I was comparing apples to oranges) and your reply now helps me to clearly understand WHY it was frustrating me...because when there's a genre change I AM comparing apples to oranges. Thanks for this. It helps. Terri

I love the autonomy and encouragement to investigate the aspect of the class theme (globalization) that was of particular interest to me. I read more on the subject than I would have otherwise. I also really liked the involvement of [the teacher]. Student comment extracted from course evaluation

I submitted last semester's Agile paper to Intercomm and I'm waiting to hear back from them. You mentioned some other publications, however, and since I only get the Technical Communication one, I wondered if you could tell me what these other publication acronyms were? JBC . . . JBTC

I have another paper on writing for mobile applications and I would like to submit
it. Virginia [NOTE: This paper published in INTERCOM in 2006.]

Being the sole "tech" writer for a non-technical organization, I have adapted technical communication ideas and applied them to my situation. I cannot overestimate how much my professionalism has been elevated because of USU. [I'm nearing the end of the program. I have two courses to finish this semester; then I'll need one more course, probably will take one this summer.] James

I've been in classes with most of you over the last few years. I'm excited but also a little sad to start this class, which is my last before I graduate this spring. I've really enjoyed the program and my association with all of you, but it will sure be nice to have a little more free time. Stephen

Hello everyone, i'm Matthew (or Matt, i really don't mind either way) and this is my fourth semester now here at USU in the Technical Writing masters program. This is the first semester that i will have taken one course instead of two and i'm going to be using the newfound time from the missing second course to begin researching and applying to PhD programs. So it will be a full semester but a new type of semester for me and i'm excited to be looking into this course's topic (more on that below). [Matthew received five acceptances from major doctoral programs.] Matthew

I love online classes! I can’t applaud this program enough. I’ve been taking classes for so many years now, that I’ve forgotten how much progress I’ve made. I guess it’ll be a fun surprise when my graduation date eventually rolls around. Lisa

As some of you already know, I work for a contractor on Hill Air Force Base, primarily developing on-the-job training guides and stand-up courseware. We are currently breaking into computer- and web-based courseware development and have completed some not quite training related taskings also, such as knowledge capture and an online guide for civil service career advancement.

We have been very busy at work (hence my late entry here) and I was tempted to take a break this semester because it is not looking to let up anytime soon, but when I read the topic of this class, I just couldn't resist. I am very interested in the future of technical writing/communication because I would love to be able to position myself into telecommuting or free-lancing -- something I could do from a remote area in Montana and still make enough to exist on. Sherry

I'm Kathleen, a native Louisiana girl living in Memphis, TN for the past 18 years. I'm also in my last semester with the program (echo Diane's HOORAYs!!) My how time flies. Seems like only yesterday I was nervously making my first introduction post and now I'm graduating in a few months. Kathleen

I am excited to see familiar names, and to learn from all of you this semester. I enjoy the lively discussions that occur, and the thoughts, insights, and opinions that are expressed. I learn so much. I think the quote, "I gain comfort from those who agree with me, and growth from those who don’t" applies to what I hope to get from this class. I hope to contribute to the discussions and to learn from all of you. Heather

This is my last class in the master’s program, and I have mixed emotions about it. So much time has passed and I am so weary, yet at the same time I am tremendously relieved and in awe that I stuck with it. I never thought I would actually be sitting here typing these words: I am one semester away from graduation. I feel as if I should cry and dance at the same time! This program has been such a routine part of my life these many years that I actually don’t know what I’m going to do with myself when I finish. Lisa

My name is Jeromy and this is my second-to-last semester in the program. It would be my last but I didn’t think I could handle two classes this semester. So I’ll take my final one in the summer. It’s been a great experience these last 3 ½ years. I will miss the class work and the learning I’ve been doing here, although it will be nice to have my evenings back. Jeromy

I love this class because I am learning so much about a subject that I enjoy but have not put enough time into...economics. While we aren't getting into too much econ theory, we are getting a macro view and learning about our own futures at the same time. Emily

My name is Michelle, and I’m a publications manager with a management consulting firm located near the Quantico Marine Base in Virginia (just a jump south of D.C.). I’m happy to see so many familiar names in the class. Even though I’ve never seen anyone face-to-face, personalities start to shine through even in an online venue. It makes it seem like “seeing” old friends again. Michell