In any field, communication is key. Whether that means engaging with customers, delivering instructions to fellow workers or presenting key info to supervisors, being able to effectively write and speak about complex topics is a valuable skill, and offers a wealth of career opportunities.
Technical communication is prized in many fields, including software development, engineering, manufacturing, health care, instructional design, marketing, and many other areas in business and industry. Many employers in these areas seek out and hire talented people specifically to oversee and execute communications. If that kind of career appeals to you, then Oakton's Technical Communication program is for you.
We offer technical communication courses covering a variety of subjects, including computer applications for business, speech, management, English and more. You'll learn key writing skills—from creating effective memos, letters, and reports to crafting Web text and producing scientific documents—as well an overview of important knowledge for your chosen field.
You can learn more about the courses and paths offered on the Technical Communications page of the course catalog.
Certificates
The Technical Communication Certificate is designed for people with experience and/or education in specific fields who wish to improve their technical communication skills. Students will learn technical writing skills and apply them to a chosen career area. Fields in which technical information is conveyed include software development, engineering, manufacturing, health care, instructional design, marketing, and many other areas in business and industry.
The employment of technical writers is projected to grow 12 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 5,500 openings for technical writers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The median annual wage for technical writers was $74,650 in May 2020. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $45,510, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $119,040.
Johnson, Scott Professor of English Coordinator, Business & Technical Writing B.A. Furman University M.A. University of Tennessee, Knoxville Ph.D. (ABD) University of Tennessee, Knoxville sjohnson@oakton.edu 847.376.7286 Office: 2556, Des Plaines
Mauritzen, Michael Assistant Professor of English Coordinator, Great Books B.A. Eastern Illinois University M.A. Purdue University Ph.D. Purdue University mmauritz@oakton.edu 847.376.7292 Office: 2753, Des Plaines
Sloan, Philip Associate Professor of English B.A. Michigan State University M.A. Carleton University M.A.T. Wayne State University Ph.D. Kent State University psloan@oakton.edu 847.376-7105 Office: 2739, Des Plaines
Meet our part-time faculty
McNett, Michael Lecturer B.A. University of Illinois, Champaign M.A. Northwestern University mmcnett@oakton.edu
Gene Haring Design, Marketing & Writing for Business Haring & Associates
Janet Spector-Bishop Director of Communications East Maine School Dist. 63
Larry Starzec Professor of English College of Lake County
Lynne Stiefel Communications Director (Retired) Village of Glenview
Ex-Officio Members
Scott Johnson Professor of English Coordinator, Technical Communication Oakton College
Linda Korbel Dean of Liberal Arts Oakton College
What's Next?
We are glad you are considering attending Oakton College. No matter where you are in your decision-making process, we are here to help you with your next steps. Whether you're ready to apply now, need information on paying for college or have questions and want to contact someone, we're here to help.
