COOP 101: Introduction to Career Practices - Textbook

Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to describe the communication cycle and communication methods.
• Students will be able to describe factors that should be considered for effective verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Students will be able to articulate their work/class experience.
• Students will compose and format employment documents.
• Students will know the importance of having good communication skills in the classroom and workplace.

Introduction:

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. - The Buddha

Communication occurs when a sender expresses an emotion or a feeling, creates an idea, or senses the need to communicate. The communication cycle is a process that is triggered when the sender makes a conscious or an unconscious decision to share a message with another person. Sometimes a conveyed message is not received in the way a sender meant, this would be considered a barrier in the communication process. As you go through this section, the communication process and appropriate business communication channels will be discussed.

Readings & Video Watch Assignment:

• Read: Module 1 - Business Communication Skills for Managers provided by Lumen Learning
  • Why It Matters: Communicating in Business
  • Becoming a Better Employee 
  • Introduction to Methods of Communication
  • Verbal and Nonverbal Communication 
  • Listening 
  • Introduction to Ethics in Business Communication
  • The Business Audience
  • Writing in Business 
  • Putting It Together: Communicating in Business 

• Watch: 
  • The Elevator Speech

  • The Perfect Introduction | Elevator Pitch

Submission Assignment:

1. Rate your communication skills (Part 1) - Assignment: Communicating in Business (click the blue link to access the assignment)
2. Write an email to your professor (Part 2) - Assignment: Communicating in Business (click the blue link to access the assignment)
3. You are to write an Elevator Pitch:  Do you know how to tell your story? Do you know what to say to promote yourself? Do you know how to present yourself? Would you be able to give your pitch within a short period of time? This week you are to write an ‘elevator pitch’ which is a quick summary that describes who you are, what you do and what you want. It should be no more than 30-40 seconds, which means your pitch needs to be concise. Include the information asked below in your pitch.

• Part 1: Who Are You?
• Part 2: What Do You Do?
• Part 3: What’s Unique About You?
• Part 4: Call to Action (or What’s are you seeking? (i.e.: a position)
• Part 5 (Optional): Something memorable about you.

• Business Communication Skills for Managers provided by Lumen Learning is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
• The Elevator Speech by ttucob. All Rights Reserved.
• The Perfect Introduction | Elevator Pitch by @SheMeansBusiness. All Rights Reserved.