According to a study for Springer Nation, over 60% of college students are afraid of speaking in front of a group of people. However, professors at the University say that overcoming this fear can not only directly lead students to higher levels of success in school, but also their career.
Learning to be a better public speaker does not just affect one’s ability to talk in front of a crowd. According to UA public speaking professors, it also boosts overall confidence, enhances leadership qualities and improves communication skills.
“Public speaking is essential for success in one’s future career and life,” said Caroline Parsons, an associate professor of communication studies. “Seeking opportunities to engage in public speaking develops students’ ability to think critically, organize their thoughts, make reasonable claims and evaluate the credibility of sources.”
On top of improving critical thinking, another benefit of public speaking is the ability to articulate ideas clearly.
“You can have the greatest ideas in the world, but if you can’t explain them and get people to listen to them, then it doesn’t matter,” said Angela Billings, director of the UA Speaking Studio.
Fortunately for students, opportunities to become a better public speaker can be found all throughout campus, especially in classes dedicated to the skill.
“There’s a wide range of courses at UA that students can take,” Billings said. She specifically cited helpful communications classes like advanced public speaking and oral interpretation.
Although there are numerous options for public speaking courses, becoming a better speaker can take many shapes.
“Just because it’s not a public speaking class doesn’t mean you aren’t provided with opportunities to speak publicly,” Billings said. “Class presentations and group presentations are wonderful opportunities to practice your oral performance skills.”
Outside of class, it may be hard to imagine advanced public speaking as a necessary skill. However, Billings said there are occasions in which having these skills certainly comes in handy.
“We should all be looking for as many opportunities to practice speaking as possible,” Billings said. “That can range from speaking at your sorority or fraternity to even giving a toast at your friend’s 21st birthday celebration.”
On top of recreational benefits, advanced public speaking is useful in other areas, specifically the career field, Parsons said.
“Who wouldn’t want to hire someone who demonstrates excellence in public speaking and communication?” Parsons said. “Everyone wants a coworker who knows how to listen, be a team player, resolve conflicts, and use oral and written communication to unify everyone in a compelling vision of the future.”
Billings said that being a good public speaker goes beyond the typical definition of talking in front of a crowd. Particularly in a job interview, these skills take on a whole new context.
“It is about taking the simple and making it interesting, taking the complex and making it understandable and making the everyday interaction memorable,” she said. “So many students will have the credentials and knowledge for the job they want, but they often don’t have the skills to get past a Zoom interview or to be able to articulate what they can do in a concise, articulate manner.”
Improving public speaking skills can not only help with landing jobs, but also maintaining relationships and healthy workplace environments within those jobs, Parsons said.
“During students’ careers, they will work with many individuals who are not the same as them,” Parsons said. “By developing competence in public speaking, students will be able to listen and communicate effectively with coworkers from any generation.”
Billings said that while in college, students have the opportunity to try new things, develop their own personal style and find their own voice.
“You have the chance to fail without a whole lot of negative ramifications,” she said. “Employers consistently say, and this has been true for decades, that communication skills are the top need they are seeking to satisfy with a future hire, so do what you need to do to be able to leave UA with the ability to check off that elusive box on the resume.”
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