I applaud the inclusion of more modern topics in high schools, colleges, and universities. Technology subjects, for example, are important and relevant. However, they cannot be at the expense of critical core topics. In all white-collar professions, you need basic math skills, basic knowledge of history, and the ability to read and write at a high level. In a profession based on the ability to communicate clearly and correctly, we should expect a much better mastery of grammar, syntax, and punctuation than I see in many of my adult students.
Our profession is uniquely challenging in that the best practitioner must be a true Renaissance man; that is, an individual who is well-educated in a wide variety of subjects. I see three gaps in young technical communicators entering the field: general knowledge, logic, and public speaking.
The case for general knowledge
Our profession demands a ...