Communication Skills and Your Career Presented by T. E. Roberts, Instructor ENC 3250, Professional Writing Univ. of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee Summer C, 2015 / Week 5 Length of this lecture audio: 00:37:20 This audio is an encore presentation from a previous term; thus, the dates spoken in the slides should be replaced by dates relevant to the Summer 2015 presentation of the course. Jot down the audio codes you hear. (Audio codes for Week 4 and 5 lectures will be due with Assignment 3 by 6 p.m. on June 15, 2015.) © Copyright 2015 by T. E. Roberts

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 1 of 11 Why Communication Skills? Your business associates and boss want to know whether you can … Explain complex ideas and processes for both technical and line-management audiences Use media (words, images, gestures, sounds, , mobile messages, video, internet) to convey your thoughts efficiently and effectively Convince others of the value and validity of your ideas

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 2 of 11 Mistakes Undermine Your Authority Misuse and mispronunciation moral vs. morale aid vs. aide between you and me vs. between you and I like vs. as regardless vs. irregardless your vs. you’re literally vs. figuratively lie vs. lay affect vs. effect See Usage Tips in syllabus and links on course website for more examples:

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 3 of 11 How Do You Get to the Corner Office? Skills must be not only learned but practiced Writing s, reports, memos, proposals, documentation Delivering speeches, conducting workshops, writing white papers, hosting clients or customers Preparing or directing the preparation of websites, social media messages, information campaigns, documentation, and communications with staff See link on Welcome page:

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 4 of 11 What Skills Do You Need? Getting the point across the first time, every time Respecting every listener ’ s perspective Using PERSUASION, not PRESSURE Seeing the bottom-line impact of effective communications Working from the inside out Start first with a clear idea in your mind Then shape it until it ’ s just as clear in others ’ minds

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 5 of 11 Here’s What One Company Wants Seeking CEO who maximizes profit and return on invested capital; establishes and accomplishes enterprise objectives; organizes the business; serves customers; creates understanding and positive image of the company; maintains company stability and reputation. The ideal candidate will have: excellent skills in communication, analytical thinking, accounting and finance; demonstrated ability in leadership and teamwork; professional knowledge and work habits ambition to grow in effectiveness and perspective Source:

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 6 of 11 Recognize the Call for Communication Skills Such skills are not always explicitly named “ Teamwork ” … highly sought trait, but impossible without being a good communicator “ Technical knowledge ” … almost meaningless without ability to share such knowledge for profitable results “ Positive image for company ” … can this happen without strong skills in reading, speaking, and writing?

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 7 of 11 What Are You Presumably Learning in College? Every learning and problem-solving experience involves language ( “ creation, utterance, and reception of communicative symbols ” ) in one form or another Learning may be defined as improving one ’ s ability to see, think, decide, act, and communicate on the basis of both knowledge and judgment Knowledge and judgment depend on the transmission and reception of mutually understood words, images, and symbols

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 8 of 11 Beyond ENC 3250 Academic study can and should give you a strong foundation It is, however, only a first step toward developing your real abilities Don ’ t avoid writing and speaking because you dislike it or think you ’ re weak -- communication is a skill that benefits from constant practice and challenge

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 9 of 11 Creating a Career Plan PARADOX: When you ’ re young, you have a long future ahead but relatively little experience in planning for that future Success depends on both careful planning and spontaneity Look for opportunities where you least expect them Read, observe, learn, write constantly — your brain doesn ’ t need a course, teacher, or textbook If you stick only with what you CAN do, count on: Atrophy of your talents Stale, bored outlook on living and working Becoming a cranky, jaded, cynical, negative, worn-out person

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 10 of 11 Job-Hunting Resources USF Career Center: Job-hunting Advice (required reading for Assignment 3): Monster.com job listing and advice: Linkedin listings specific to industries and companies Contacts through family, friends, blogs, social networks, avocations Professional and trade associations Alumni and professional networks Thousands of company and job-listing websites

ENC 3250, Summer 2015 Week 5 Slide 11 of 11 Assignment Reminders IMPORTANT: Dates in this audio lecture refer to previous term; dates written below are correct for Summer C, Assignment 3 (resume + cover letter), plus Week 4 and 5 audio codes, due by 6 p.m. June 15; include Week 4 and 5 audio codes Assignment 4 outline (topic and research sources) due at 6 p.m. Monday, June 22 (send earlier if possible); no codes with the outline Assignment 4 itself due by 6 p.m. July 13, 2015 Choose a topic that (a) interests you and (b) provides value in your career -- it can be a powerful job-hunting tool! Write a report, proposal, or business plan of around 2,000 to 2,500 words (will discuss this in Week 6 lecture) – you are welcome to customize the topic and approach; see outline sample on course website and read directions in syllabus Name your #3 submission this way: For markup, Lastname_3250_3_markup.doc (or.docx; must submit revision) For grade only, Lastname_3250_3.doc (or.docx) No revision option for Assignment 4 (may request ed comment) Please contact me via if you have a question