Communication Skills

1. Communication Skills
Dr. Judy Perkins, PE
MATC Scholars Program
October 28 – 31, 2015
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

2. OUTLINE
• Introduction
• Learning Objectives
• Learning Outcomes
• Session Presentation
• Conclusion

3. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
• The components of effective communication
• The importance of appropriate writing and
speaking in academic and corporate settings
• Improvement of communication skills through
written and verbal activities
• The role of non-verbal communication cues
• Development of participants’ personal
statements

4. LEARNING OUTCOMES
• Gain a better understanding of effective
communication skills and their importance
• Learn how to avoid some common
grammatical errors
• Acquire an appreciation of the role of non-
verbal communication cues
• Complete a draft personal statement

5. TERMINOLOGY
Definition of Communication
• An act or instance of transmitting
• Information transmitted or conveyed - A verbal or
written message
• A process by which information is exchanged
between individuals through a common system of
symbols, signs, or behaviors
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/communication

6. COMPONENTS OF VERBAL COMMUNICATION
• What words do you use? - The message
• How do you verbally communicate? - Tone, pitch,
pace, inflection
• What does your body communicate? - Body
language
• What was being said? - Listening
• Who are you speaking to? - Audience

7. BARRIERS/REMINDERS: VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Barriers
• Not listening
• Use of acronyms, abbreviations
• Distractive mannerisms
• Rambling responses
• Grammatical errors
• Inappropriate body language (no eye contact,
slouching, finger pointing, etc.)

8. BARRIERS/REMINDERS: VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Reminders
• Listen
• Be concise/focused
• Be aware of proximity
• Volume, Pace, tone, pitch
• Word usage (Grammar)

9. • Who is it for? - Audience
• What is the message? - Word choice
• How is it written? - Punctuation, word usage,
grammar
Remember that “Writing is Rewriting”
COMPONENTS OF WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

10. Barriers
• Lack of preparation
• Lack of focused response
• Grammatical errors
Reminders
• Read the instructions
• Remember the audience
• Be concise/focused
BARRIERS/REMINDERS: WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

11. KEY ELEMENTS TO YOUR APPLICATION PACKET
• Resume
• Personal Statement
• Personal statements usually focuses on who you are,
that is, your qualities and character. It can also
include your research interests if a statement of
purpose is not requested.
• The audience may be faculty, discipline specialist, and
non-specialist.
• Letters of Recommendation
• The most effective recommendation is one from a
faculty member who knows your work and can
describe your performance relative to your classmates
• Choose a professor who can speak specifically about
why you will make a good researcher

12. PREPARING FOR ACADEMIC INTERVIEW AND
WRITING A PERSONAL STATEMENT
Questions that need to be answered:
1.Why graduate school?
2.Within my discipline what interests me?
3.Why this particular institution?
4.Why am I qualified?
5.What are my strengths and weaknesses?
6.What do I bring to the graduate program?
7.What are my plans after graduation?
8.What type of career am I considering?
9.What personal values will guide my decisions?
10.Do I have a plan?

13. WRITING YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT ACTIVITIY
• Using the short guide to writing a personal
statement produced by Strode’s College in Egham,
Surrey, students will be placed in groups to
complete Steps 1, 2, 3 and 4. The group assigned
to work on Step 4 must also complete Step 1 first.
https://www.strodes.ac.uk/Portals/0/Strodes/Parents/Higher%2
0Education%20Info%20Evening/personal%20Statements.pdf

14. CONCLUSION
• Self Assessment
• Seeking Guidance
• Planning
• Practice
To successfully convey a verbal or written
message to communicate takes:

15. Slide design © 2009, Mid-America Transportation Center. All rights reserved.
CREDITS
Dr. Judy A. Perkins, PE
Professor
Prairie View A&M University
Civil & Environmental Engineering Department
P.O. Box 519, MS 2510
Prairie View, Texas 77446
juperkins@pvamu.edu