The Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs recognizes the importance of preparing Ohio’s future workforce by developing their students’ skills which is why they offer their students a chance to hone their public speaking abilities during winter quarter at the annual speakers’ bureau.
The bureau walks students through the steps of creating a clear and concise two minute elevator speech that focuses on the purpose, value, and impact of their work at the School.The program is always open to all Voinovich School students, including undergraduates, graduates, MBAs, MPAs, work study students, and Voinovich Scholars, reinforcing the School’s mission to support and encourage all of their students.
Sean O’Hara, an MBA student working with the Voinovich School, participated in the program this year in an effort to improve a skill that is not always given adequate time in classroom curriculum.
“I want to improve my public speaking skills, but I never take the time to sit down and do it.By having a scheduled seminar, I was actually able to discipline myself to spend some time and focus my attention on a skill that is so important in the business world,” he said.
Jan. 29 and 30, interested students gathered together and shared one of the applied projects they have been a part of during their time at the School.The students were asked to work together to help each other summarize their work in an understandable way before presenting to a group of Voinovich professionals who offered them advice and feedback.
“The students don’t realize home much technical jargon they use and how much of their message is being lost in their word choice,” said Lindsey Siegrist, a member of the Voinovich School’s Communications Group and one of the coordinators of this year’s bureau.
“They are surprised when they can finally explain their work to family and friends and they truly understand.”
The students were asked to focus on the project, its impact on the community, and its impact on their personal goals and career plans.The faculty and staff hope the program will give students a greater understanding of their work and how their success at the Voinovich School enriches their lives and the region around them.
“I think they really enjoy [the bureau],” said Margaret Hutzel, Voinovich staff member and co-coordinator of this year’s bureau, “It helps them to really see the value of the work they do.It gives them a sense of pride.”
After weeks of practice, students will be able to present their work in a succinct and professional manner, and as a result they will be able to help the Voinovich School and gain exposure and experience by presenting to various stakeholders, including at potential senate hearings and in front of various legislators. Students are able to bring their project’s story to life in a way that data and charts cannot.
“I plan on taking the speech that I created and using it in phone conversations with business contacts and at networking opportunities.It is very difficult for me to limit myself to brief statements, so I think refreshing myself on the points to focus on was helpful,” said O’Hara.
But most importantly, the Voinovich faculty and staff believe that the bureau is a positive experience for their students because it provides them an opportunity to develop their skills and share their hard work with others leaving them feeling fulfilled and ready to take on “the real world.”