Industry Advisory Board

Since its first meeting in 1986, the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) has been a strong supporter of the Technical Communication (TC) program. In particular, the IAB has encouraged the program to reexamine its mission and the kind of curriculum and opportunities that students need to succeed as professionals. Supported by the board, TC has introduced new courses such as Technical Presentations and Technical Editing, Teams and the Engineering Profession, and Facilitation, as well as the Technical Communication Certificate.

IAB members have served as guest lecturers, have worked with TC students in Technical Communication internships, and have encouraged their companies to provide financial support of TC program activities. Participating companies have hosted board meetings and have invited faculty to experience on the job communication projects through job shadowing.

The Board has defined its function as follows:

1. To define industry needs and make recommendations regarding curricular emphasis based upon these needs.
2. To share information and expertise and to encourage ongoing contact between IAB members and EPD. Among the forms such contact might take are member participation in EPD classes (as speakers of observers), student visits to board member companies, and ongoing, informal exchange of ideas and information via email list, web site, or other convenient media.
3. To serve as an advocate for the program. Such advocacy would emphasize to all constituencies (college, students, industry and government agencies) the increasing relevance of effective communication in the engineering workplace.

The IAB members and the TC faculty, as well as TC students, meet annually to evaluate program development and to explore current topics and issues in technical communication. The agenda items for the past few years indicate that annual meetings with the IAB are important for the program's strategic planning and ultimately lead to actions that benefit students and the college.

For more information, please contact us.