Technical Communication Certificate

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.

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Job Outlook

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.

 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Meet Your Faculty and Experts

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.

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