Ready-made Network of Peers—Members tell us the chance to network with other members is one of their most prized benefits. The chance to bounce ideas off one another, learn about job opportunities, and hear about project shortcuts and new software or tools is especially valuable.

Exclusive Access to Jobs Database—Only members are able to see hundreds of job listings on the STC Career Center online 14 days ahead of everyone else. It is a special benefit exclusive to members. After two weeks, the listings are opened to the public. Online listings are searchable by geographic area and salary range.

Personal Subscriptions to STC Publications—Members receive personal subscriptions to STC’s monthly magazine, quarterly journal, and electronic newsletter to keep abreast of Society activities. Intercom offers a broad range of articles for the professional. Topics cover writing and editing, tips for consultants, tools of the trade, new products, and unusual job profiles. Technical Communication is a peer-reviewed journal with papers based on research findings advancing the Body of Knowledge. News & Notes, the monthly electronic newsletter, offers bite-sized updates on what’s happening within STC, as well as industry news.

Chapter Membership—Members are connected to peers at the local chapter meetings and seminars. Most chapters schedule regular meetings and social events, offer listserves, and publish a newsletter.

SIG Membership—STC has 21 special interest groups organized by type of work performed and the classification of employment. Membership in one SIG is included with dues, however many members choose more than one SIG for a small additional charge. List of SIGs

Free Sponsored Seminars—STC presents offerings from corporate members who sponsor free, live Web seminars on hot topics. These are not sales pitches but focus on emerging subject areas presented by experts who are closely involved in their development.

More Continuing Education—STC also develops targeted 90-minute, single-topic seminars. Participants listen to the presenter over the phone while viewing presentation materials via the Website. This format provides easier access to materials for reference during the presentation, as well as a more intimate, "classroom" setting than the typical telephone seminar. Registrants are provided a toll-free number, a secure URL, and access to both the audio and online elements of the presentation. Web Seminar Schedule

Exclusive Access to Salary Database—STC’s annual salary database is based on the latest information from the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Statistics survey of technical writers among 1.25 million US business establishments in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. Data are provided for technical writers in 84 industries, all 11 combined statistical areas and 159 metropolitan areas, and 12 non-metropolitan areas. By finding those industries and regions that are hiring and those that are laying off, members can refine their job search with more productive results.

Exclusive Discounts on Products—Vendors, such as MadCap Software and ComponentOne, are among the corporations that offer discounts on products only to STC members. Discounts are typically 10–15 percent. The savings for members taking advantage of the discounts can be hundreds of dollars, much more than the cost of STC dues.

Big Savings on Continuing Education—Members using the early bird registration rate to attend the Technical Communication Summit often save as much as $300 to $500 over nonmembers. STC gives members preferred pricing on all products.

Discounts on Insurance Programs—STC offers health, disability, critical illness, life, and long-term care insurance to members through Mutual of Omaha (US residents only; availability varies by state). Pension plans are also offered in cooperation with Marsh Affinity Group Services, a leader in insurance program management.
Marsh Insurance: +1 (877) 249-7868
Mutual of Omaha: +1 (800) 624-5554

Access to Best Practices Research—STC members receive a one-year complimentary access (a $995 value) to more than 5,500 research documents in Best-in-Class enterprises with hundreds of benchmark and best practices reports in areas such as: business value research analysis, research briefs, market perspectives, and key performance indicators. STC has partnered with Aberdeen Group, a leading, fact-based, market research firm, to bring you exclusive access to the latest Aberdeen analysis, market-moving news, and vertical insights.