Allison Vaughan took a Business and Professional Communication course at Texas Tech University to supplement her job in cosmetic sales. Through the course, she learned that successful communication requires more than just good communication skills - it also involves being able to communicate effectively in various situations to different sized audiences. One major assignment had her give a series of three speeches to both in-person and online audiences, which taught her how to use visual aids and engage audiences. She also learned the importance of effective nonverbal signals like appearing confident and not fidgeting. While nervous about public speaking initially, she became more comfortable over time and saw that her audience engagement increased with her confidence. Overall, the course helped her feel more confident communicating verbally and non

1. Allison Vaughan
Texas Tech University
Business and Professional Communication
One of the first courses I took at Texas Tech University was COMS 3358 Business and
Professional Communication. Originally I took this course to supplement my current job in
cosmetic sales. I figured that good communication skills were key to successful business
transactions. I have discovered through this course that in most cases this is entirely true;
however, there are many aspects that go along with being a successful communicator.
One example is being able to communicate successfully in various situations. This
encompasses cross-cultural communication as well as being able to communicate effectively to
both large and small audiences. One of the major assignments of this course consisted of making
a series of three speeches to both an in person and online audience. From this experience I
learned how to use visual aids to support my presentation, how to encourage audience members
to support a topic, and how to grab and hold an audience’s attention.
Another important aspect that aids in successful business communication is use and
understanding of effective nonverbal signals. When I was making my speeches I learned not to
fidget. While talking with your hands may aid in a presentation, the most important thing is to
appear confident in the message that you are sending. At first I was nervous about the act of
presenting in front of an audience. When I got more comfortable, however, I was able to see how
audience attention and support increased along with my confidence.

2. I feel that this course was helpful for me in learning how to be a better communicator. I
now feel more confident giving presentations and communicating with both large and small
audiences and well as using effective verbal and nonverbal cues to when communicating a
message.