If you’re pursuing your degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, you may think to yourself “why would I need to be good at public speaking?” After all, you’re probably not trying to become the governor of Connecticut (or maybe you are), so you’re safe, right? Think again. You may have to give presentations on your work to supervisors. You may have to communicate to the public hard science in layman terms. You may teach STEM from the elementary to university level. So, don’t neglect developing your public speaking skills. Here are five tips to improve public speaking as a STEM student:
- Attend conferences where you have the chance to speak. Whether speaking as a panelist, asking questions of panelists, or networking with peers, finding a setting where you can speak in front of people will serve you well. Consider looking on our Science, Data, and Technology Career Community page to find these events.
- Find peers who’d be willing to hear you present. Create a PowerPoint and get feedback. Try to mix up your audiences between fellow in-the-know STEM students and those outside your major, to simulate a layman audience.
- Find speakers in STEM you admire and emulate them. Perhaps you have a professor who communicates really well with their students. See if they are speaking at any future conferences and attend them. Watch TED Talks of scientists making complex subjects understandable to layman audiences.
- Keep a written journal of your experiences both STEM and life-related. I’ve personally found that journaling has helped me clarify my thoughts and helped me speak more clearly. Furthermore, I know that I’m much more willing to speak in front of others when, through journaling, I have spoken to myself.
- Take a more active role in the classroom and group work. Sometimes it’s a matter of shyness, and being more vocal with your peers will increase your comfort with public speaking.
If you want to learn more about finding public speaking opportunities with a STEM focus, consider scheduling an appointment with a career coach today through Handshake.
