Executive Summary

The objective of this project is to analyze the content of the curriculum

offered in the English Technical Communication program at Boise State
University in light of prospective employer demands, in order to understand
the adequacy of the program in preparing students for the current job
market in the Technical Communication field and to recommend changes to
the program based on these findings.

To accomplish this objective, we researched curriculum content by examining

course descriptions in the undergraduate catalog and interviewing
instructors to determine the job skills and software knowledge provided by
the program. We researched employer needs via Technical Communication
and job posting websites in order to understand the skills and software
knowledge employers most often seek in Technical Communication
applicants. We consulted members of the English departments Curriculum
Committee to identify how course content and curriculum changes are
implemented.

We found that the English Technical Communication program targets 17

specific learning outcomes and encompasses either specific training in, or
general usage of, 10 different types of software applications. Further, we
found 19 commonalities in the business and interpersonal skills and software
knowledge most often desired by prospective employers. When we analyzed
and compared both sets of data, we found that the English Technical
Communication curriculum includes skills and knowledge that meets or
exceeds 100% of the skillset items most often cited as desired or required by
employers in the Technical Communication field.

Based on these findings, we assert that the English Technical Communication

program at Boise State is comprehensive in adequately preparing students
for a career in Technical Communication, and so we recommend that no
changes be made to the current curriculum or course content at this time.
Our secondary recommendation is that the curriculum be formally
reexamined every 2 to 3 years to ensure continued efficacy of the program in
light of the changing job market.