Theory to Practice: Negotiating Expertise for New Technical Communicators

Jennifer C. Mallette, Megan Gehrke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In technical communication, discussions on how to best prepare graduates to meet workplace challenges range from responding to changing technology and occupational needs to focusing on creating flexible workers. Part of this conversation centers on expertise: what kinds of expertise are most valued and how can graduates be trained to be experts? In this article, we explore our field’s understandings of expertise by focusing on a recent master’s graduate and practitioner, Megan. As first an intern then a full-time employee at HP Inc, Megan experienced clashes between the classroom and workplace, which she sought to reconcile. In addition, she also had to learn to assert herself as a subject matter expert (SME) while working alongside SMEs. This navigation was not something her education necessarily prepared her for, and when compared to surveyed graduates’ experiences, may be something programs could emphasize. We conclude with recommendations for how academic programs can incorporate conversations about expertise and equip students to assert themselves as communication SMEs and build on that expertise after graduation.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalEnglish Literature Faculty Publications and Presentations
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2018

Keywords

  • academic training
  • expertise
  • knowledge transfer
  • professional development
  • subject matter expert
  • workplace preparation

EGS Disciplines

  • English Language and Literature

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