Why Study Communication?
Communication is a tool we use to influence others, bring out changes in our and others’ attitudes, motivate people around us, ask questions, express wants and needs, develop social relationships, practice social etiquette, etc. Communication is a major part of our active life and is a social activity. Every day, we communicate with families, friends, colleagues, and even strangers. Communication is life! Having strong communication skills helps in all aspects of life – from professional life to personal life and everything in between.
Most Important Skill for People Entering the Workforce
Communication skills are becoming increasingly important for career progression, as executives look to promote people who can persuade, influence, and inspire their teams, clients, and customers. In a dataset collated by Harvard Business Review, over 300,000 respondents were asked to rank their most important executive skills. Regardless of the management level, the ability to ‘inspire and motivate others’, and ‘communicate powerfully and prolifically’ was in the top 5 leadership skills needed. The LinkedIn APAC Future of Skills 2019 Report reveals similar findings. As AI and automation become prevalent, communication skills are becoming more valuable. Your technical skills will only take you so far in your career. If you want to be seen as a (future) leader, being a skilled communicator is critical.
Better Communicators Have Better Personal Relationships
Communication is the foundation of all human relationships. Yet, effective communication in a relationship is the very thing people struggle with the most. The Gottman Institute research shows that the number one cause for divorce is communication issues. A study on family communication found that communicating role expectations, supporting, disclosing, negotiating, positively communicating needs, and demonstrating understanding of other family members are just a few of the communicative behaviors crucial in creating a family that is healthy and happy.
Department Mission Statement:
Our mission as the Department of Communication Studies is to provide students and members of our college community with greater competence in interpersonal, small group, and public speaking settings, and to create awareness about the critical importance of mastering these skills and adapting them to diverse audiences in their personal and professional lives.
