This article reports a study of internship requirements in technical communication programs compared with three established professions and one emerging profession that have certification or licensing requirements for practitioners. The study addresses three questions about technical communication internship programs: 1) Are internships offered as…

Reviews economic, sociopolitical, and ideological factors that characterize the modern professions and argues that the technical communication field, at best, only partially meets the criteria. Argues that prospects for professional status might be improved by developing a critical consciousness of the processes of professionalization and…

States that although internships are routine components of technical communication programs, they can offer excellent professional opportunities to English majors who do not plan academic careers. Finds that internships can enhance enrollments and retention in the English program; build credibility of the English curriculum in the nonacademic…