Bridging English and technology

Stepping into the world of technology can be daunting, especially for a liberal arts student at a school known for its engineering prowess.

For Kate Stanko, a senior at Virginia Tech double majoring in communications and professional and technical writing, an internship with Virginia Tech's Network Infrastructure and Services opened the door to a rewarding career path that balances her passion for technical writing with the challenge of making complex information accessible to a wider audience.

“I love being the person who bridges the gap between technology and the general public,” Stanko said.

For her, becoming an intern with Virginia Tech's Division of Information Technology was the perfect opportunity to establish connections in the technical world and contribute to something bigger. Her role involves taking complex, technical material and transforming it into content that anyone can understand — a responsibility that she embraces wholeheartedly.

A day in the life of a technical writer

On a typical day, Stanko navigates through articles, documentation, and style guides, ensuring that everything adheres to the unit’s standards. Her role is primarily remote, and her work remains seamless thanks to tools such as Outlook, Slack, and Google Drive. With the flexibility of remote work, Stanko can work on her projects from anywhere, even at the campus radio station where she is the general manager.

“There’s a lot of coordination,” she said about her internship, “and I love that about this role. You have to balance detail orientation with broader communication goals.”

One of her biggest tasks has been working on Virginia Tech’s migration to Zoom phones. As a technical writer, she was responsible for drafting the communications and user instructions for this shift, ensuring that all the information was clear, concise, and usable by both technical staff and end users.  

Her work on Zoom phone migration isn’t her only project. She has also helped develop instructions for VT OpenWiFi, collaborating closely with directors and other technical staff to make sure the final product met everyone’s needs.

 “It’s a lot of back and forth, but at the end of the day, it’s rewarding to know I’ve made something that’s going to help so many people,” she said.

Collaborating with the experts

When she collaborates with the technical staff, Stanko said their input is invaluable in her writing.  

“You don’t need to be an expert in IT to communicate the issues clearly,” she said.

She believes her lack of technical experience actually empowers her to simplify complex ideas, making them more accessible to users who may be unfamiliar with the technology.

“The most challenging part of the job is standardizing content,” she said. “There are so many departments within IT, and they each have their own way of doing things. Everyone has different expectations, so it’s about finding that balance and creating a uniform approach.”

This was particularly evident when she worked on documentation for the OpenWiFi project, where maintaining consistency across departments was crucial.

Skills and takeaways from the internship

Stanko’s time with the unit has not only broadened her understanding of information technology but also sharpened her technical writing skills, as well as serving as a Bridge Experience Program.

As part of Virginia Tech’s commitment to experiential learning, many academic majors, including English, require students to complete a bridge experience before graduation. These are immersive, career-building opportunities to connect classroom learning to real-world professional environments through internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, or community-based learning. By spring 2027, an estimated 4,000 students will complete a bridge experience each year.

“Experiential learning opportunities, such as those with the bridge program, show students the connection between classroom knowledge and workplace skills,” said Dawn Knight, academic and career advisor in the Department of English. “Hands-on learning experiences like her internship allow students to not only meet graduation requirements but also gain experience in their chosen fields.”

One such practice Stanko encounters regularly in her internship is the usage of a style guide, which sets a standard for the writing, formatting, and design of documents.

“Following a style guide is so important,” she said. “It’s not just about learning it but also reinforcing it with others. I’ve definitely improved my attention to detail.”

Another of Stanko’s essential roles is tracking changes across a large body of work, whether it’s updating old documentation or making sure that new instructions are consistent with past material.  

“I might be handed a big spreadsheet, and I have to track every mention of a particular tool or term to ensure it’s all aligned,” she said.

Advice for future interns

For students thinking about applying for an internship in Network Infrastructure and Services, Stanko’s advice is simple: don’t be afraid.  

“It can be intimidating, especially as a liberal arts student going into a technical field,” she said, “but there’s so much value in that unique perspective. It’s empowering. I’ve learned so much, and it’s great knowing I’ve contributed to making things easier for others.”

Written by Chloe Ziegler, a senior majoring in psychology with minors in professional and technical writing and adaptive brain and behavior