Professional and Technical Writing
SVSU offers a major or minor in Professional and Technical Writing (PTW), which provides students with a sound background in business, technical, and professional writing and editing.
Students in the program develop writing, editing, graphic design, and multimedia skills to transform complex information into Web sites, brochures, grant applications, reports, manuals, instructions and online help, and multimedia presentations.
Why SVSU?
- The PTW program offers small class size which allows for one-on-one teacher student interactions that are important to succeeding in the program.
- The PTW lab has multiple computers, both Mac and PC, which allow students to complete classroom work with programs that they may not have access to at home.
- There are portfolios, both classroom work and internship experience portfolios, available for students to look at to understand what they need to do for their own portfolio.
Careers in Professional and Technical Writing
PTW is one of the fastest growing job markets in the country -- technical writers are well paid and in demand. Graduates are prepared to enter many careers in such fields as:
- Proposal and grant writing
- Graphics and document design
- Electronic and online publishing
- Computer software documentation
- Technical and scientific writing
- Organizational communication
- Publications management
Internships
An internship is required of all Professional and Technical Writing graduates, and for the duration of the internship, students will register for a 3-credit Internship class. The experience is designed to provide the student with real-world experience as a professional and technical communicator.
Students work on writing projects at local businesses, government or non-profit agencies under joint supervision of a faculty member and the sponsoring organization.
SVSU PTW Internship Affiliations
- Parsons and Maxson Marketing Communications, Inc.
- The Ramona Group
- The Saginaw News
- The Bay City Times
- The Roethke House
- St. Mary’s Hospital
- Nouvel High School
- United for Kids
- DICE Corporation
- Interlude Magazine