business communication today · media. those best fit are individuals good at selling since pr...
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Business Communication Today
ARTICLES:
Official Publication of the UCSB Business Communication Program
www.bizcommucsb.com - South Hall 3400 - [email protected] - 805.893.2613
BizComm Students Consult for a Greener WorldThis year’s BizComm students served as communication consultants for a variety of on-campus organizations and local green non-profits, gaining real-world experience and contributing to the local sustainability movement in the process.
The Business Communication track of the Professional Writing Minor continues to produce exceptional graduates and young professionals every year. This newsletter provides updates about the program as well as tips and resources for both alumni and prospective students.
Successfuly Conveying Your BizComm Abilities to EmployersBizComm students graduate with a diverse array of marketable skills. But how exactly does one communicate these skills learned to a potential employer? We suggest breaking up the skills learned instead of trying to communicate them all at once.
Then.....and Now: Interviews with the Class of ‘06Alumni Joanna Katz and Justin Flam were members of the first class of BizComm students who set the foundation for what has become an outstanding and prestigious program. Find out what they are doing now, and how the minor helped them succeed.
Spring 2012
In This Issue:
Current Career Opportunities in WritingAccording to the Harvard Business Review, “knowing how to produce written communications...is more crucial than ever.” While nearly every career involves this skill, there are certain careers which center around professional business writing.
Brush up on Your Technical Skills!Whether you are interested in becoming a proficient web developer or are just trying to create a simple logo in Illustrator, these online resources will supplement and refresh the training you received in the minor.
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News & Updates
Articles & Resources
Congratulations Class of 2012!
Photo: K
ellock Irvin
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SUCCESSFULLY CONVEYING YOUR BIZCOMM ABILITIESBy Nicole Leopardo
The Business Communication track of the Professional Writing Minor is very valuable in that it provides students with a diverse array of skills that are very marketable to employers. The question is, how exactly does one communicate these skills learned to a potential employer? We suggest breaking up the skills learned instead of trying to communicate them all at once.
The most marketable aspects of the minor are broken down by category below. Knowing how to communicate these aspects will make you stand out in the crowd of hungry college students looking for a job!
Software
This particular minor gives you experience using professional software that many companies use for projects. Students are introduced to Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver.
These skills can be communicated in a few ways. First, it is important to put them on your skills matrix, and to bring this matrix to job interviews. Second, this information can be communicated in cover letters. Last, software learned can be stated in a one-on-one interview with a future employer.
Professional Communication Tactics
One of the most valuable things that an employer wants to know is how you fit into a team, and that you actually know how to work on a team (Top Ten Things Employers Look For). Also, employers want to know that you know how to communicate with others that are different from yourself.
The minor provides two opportunities to work in teams, one opportunity each quarter. Pay attention to the role that you play in a team and be able to communicate what you bring to a team.
In addition to teamwork, the minor offers lessons in corporate communication. Topics such as corporate culture and corporate responsibility are important for college graduates to understand. For example, an understanding of corporate culture can be useful when you go in for an interview and are asked if you have any questions. (7 Interview Questions)
Portfolio: Show Rather than Tell
The deliverables produced in the minor are perhaps the most valuable; this serves as evidence of accomplishments and skills. These documents not only show off your skills, but also make you stand out from the crowd.
While making a physical portfolio is great, the online portfolio created in the minor is even more impressive. Providing future employers with a link to this resource makes it so that you do not have to bring in (and possibly loose) and expensive portfolio.
Official Newsletter of the UCSB Business Communication Program - Spring 2012
BIZCOMM STUDENTS CONSULT FOR A GREENER WORLD
This year’s business communication minors took on a special assignment. They became communication consultants for a variety of on-campus organizations and local green non-profits, gaining real-world experience, and contributing to the local sustainability movement.
Each group of students chose the client they wished to work with and collaborated in creating an effective communication plan. The groups also provided additional promotional materials and delivered a presentation to the client on the implementation of the plan.
Each plan demanded extensive research of the organization and its public. In addition, the plans included specific instructions to increase the effectiveness of the organization’s mission, including a timeline and budget for the proposed initiative.
One of the student groups, TREE Consulting, took on UCSB’s Sustainability division as clients in an effort to improve their sustainable outreach among the UCSB community.
Through their collaborative efforts, they were able to produce a creative and strategic plan to increase sustainable awareness throughout campus. They created a fully detailed communication plan including various deliverables. Some of those deliverables included flyers, pins, and a short video.
Very pleased with their plan and presentation, UCSB Sustainability representative Jasmine Syed requested their video to post it on their website. TREE Consulting received the highest evaluation and praise from their professor and clients.
By Armando Torres
Official Newsletter of the UCSB Business Communication Program - Spring 2012
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As BizComm writing minor alum Andrea Romano says that the online portfolio was key to getting her first job out of college. She printed business cards with her website and credentials after graduation.
Conclusion
There are many ways to communicate the skills learned in the minor: through written documents (cover letters and resumes), verbal communication (interviews) and through a physical or online portfolio. Just remember to be clear and specific in what you learned. Before going into an interview, break down your skills by category, so that it is easier to list these items off.
Do not be shy in communicating your skills! Remember, the Writing Minor, Business Communication track is not something that is open to all students. Take advantage of these skills learned and show off your hard work from the year!
Read More:
Top Ten Things Employers Look for in New College Graduates
7 Interview Questions to Uncover Corporate Culture
Official Newsletter of the UCSB Business Communication Program - Spring 2012
“This project prepared us for real world consulting practice in the nonprofit sector. Our work not only helped a real organization develop, but also showcased the quality of work we can offer,” says TREE Consulting member Eden Belen.
Other student groups created communication plans for UCSB LabRATS, an on-campus organization dedicated to laboratory efficiency, and Green2Gold, a local sustainable business incubator.
THEN...AND NOW: INTERVIEWS WITH THE CLASS OF 2006By Sarah Peralta
Alumni Joanna Katz and Justin Flam were members of the first class of Business Com-munication minors who broke the ground and set the foundation for what has become an outstanding and prestigious writing program. Indefinitely, both alumni agree that the writing minor was the most valuable experience gained while at UCSB.
The writing minor presents a very hands on and realistic approach to coursework. As Justin said, “the minor gives applied knowledge.” Dr. Kryder, our mentor and program coordinator, set high standards for her students requiring them to write communication plans and create personal portfolios.
Joanna mentioned that the portfolio really set her apart, and showed her employer what she could bring to the table. In fact it “landed me my first job out of college,” said Joanna. Currently, Joanna works as a communications manager for McKesson, a healthcare com-pany in San Francisco, where she develops and executes communication plans and presen-tations.
However, the minor isn’t only about creating outstanding documents to present to em-ployers. It’s also about forming relationships, “a family.” Justin kept reiterating how special it was to be able to have Dr. Kryder multiple times saying that it’s “really exciting to con-tinually learn from someone I respected.” On the same note, Joanna said that Dr. Kry-der really took the time to understand and know what students wanted to get out of the minor.
Dr. Kryder continues to follow the same teaching style, asking and implementing students’ ideas into the sylla-bus. One of her requirements, and a main staple to the success of the program, is the internship. Justin was able to turn his internship with Davies into a full time job, which lasted for three years.
After his final year in Washington D.C., Justin decided to return to Westlake Village, CA and work in his father’s taxation practice, Flam Financial Servies. He worked his way up and has established a professional partnership with his father. Justin hopes to someday tie together his knowledge of writing and communication with tax by working with Congress on taxation bills.
Students, like Joanna and Justin, have discovered their passions and skills, and have turned them into careers. The writing minor, with the leadership of Dr. Kryder, bridges the gap between the university and the real world. Offering opportunities to learn an actual trade and grow professionally, the program continues to push its stu-dents beyond their comfort zones and think outside the box.
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Official Newsletter of the UCSB Business Communication Program - Spring 2012
CURRENT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN WRITINGBy Daniel J. Wetmore
Strong written communication skills are essential in today’s professional workplace. Despite the increasing prevalence of abbreviated written communications (like email, text and social media streams), you must still write correspondence, memos, project summaries, proposals and reports. According to the Harvard Business Review “effective communication is a key driver for achieving desired results on a personal or business level. Knowing how to produce written communications...is more crucial than ever.” While nearly every position involves certain forms of written communication, there are certain fields that heavily rely on writers, and that center around professional business writing.
Public Relations is a challenging position that requires exceptional writing skills, but encompasses all industries. Every smart, customer-facing company has a PR staff of some sort. It is a great position for those interested in eventually pursuing journalism or becoming involver with in news and media. Those best fit are individuals good at selling since PR involves constantly pitching the company (or products or services) you support. If you have a knack for writing persuasive and engaging material and making personal connections, check out PR.
Want to make a difference in the world? The non-profit Sector has a tremendous need for writers. In addition to writing and promotions, non-profits need individuals to write grant proposals, newsletters, promotional materials, and fundraising letters; these materials keep constituents educated and engaged.
Early to mid-stage startups love young energetic employees and are a great place for recent grads to find work. Their dynamic environment and rather loosely defined roles provide employees with the opportunity to work on numerous project types that enhance a broad range of writing skills. Those interested in sticking around post graduation will find that Santa Barbara has a large and dynamic startup community.
Although engineers and developers create amazing products, they often lack the ability to effectively communicate the features and benefits of their product, let alone explain in layman’s terms how something works. Technical writers collaborate with experts to interpret and aggregate subject matter in a simplistic way. These individuals are essential because they bridge this gap between the technical world and the general public.
Remember to keep your writing ability sharp with regular practice! Skills acquired in the Business Communication Minor will prove an asset wherever you end up, and can give you a foot in the door for all of the above positions.
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Photo: Kellock Irvin
Official Newsletter of the UCSB Business Communication Program - Spring 2012
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BRUSH UP ON YOUR TECHNICAL SKILLS!By Allan Kapoor
BizComm students complete our program with an introduction to complex graphic design and web development programs that take extended training to master. Even if your current job does not focus on design, presenting information in a visually pleasing manner can set you apart from the pack.
Whether you are interested in becoming a proficient web developer or are just trying to create a simple logo in Illustrator, these online resources will supplement the training you received in the minor.
Tutorials
Alx’s Writing 157 SiteThis website is designed specifically for UCSB BizComm students. Our dedicated computer instructor posts tutorials and videos covering basic skills taught in 157A/B as well as links to other useful resources.
Adobe.tv – Official TutorialsDreamweaver - Illustrator - InDesign - PhotoshopAdobe.tv provides “Getting Started” tutorials for each program. This is a great place to start if you need to refresh your memory, but the tutorials also go beyond the introduction you received in the minor.
Vector DiaryVector Diary offers a series of 20-minute lessons that will turn you into an Illustrator expert in 30 days! This set of tutorials includes many tricks and tips used by professionals that are not included in the official Adobe tutorial.
Free Programs and Resources
DaFontDafont is an excellent resource for high quality free fonts that can be downloaded to your computer. Spice up the look of your documents without breaking the bank.
Google Web FontsWeb developers with a taste for typography were previously restricted to just a few basic fonts that everybody’s computer can use, but not anymore! Google Web Fonts has over 500 font families that can be added to your website and viewed by anyone, or downloaded and used in print documents. Google allows you to compare and test fonts and then automatically produces code for you to add to your website!
Official Newsletter of the UCSB Business Communication Program - Spring 2012
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GIMP – “Freeware Photoshop”Don’t have hundreds of dollars to shell out on Adobe software? This photo manipulation software is comparable to Photoshop and can be downloaded for free off the official website.
Kompozer – “Freeware Dreamweaver”This freeware web authoring system is comparable to Dreamweaver. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux, and can be downloaded straight off the official site.
FileZilla – Free FTP ClientThis easy-to-use FTP Client connects you to web hosts and enables you to uploac documents and web pages onto
WRITING TIP #27: SimplicityBy Daniel J. Wetmore
In the business world the phrase “time is money” holds true. Your audience is busy and will not wallow through a jumble of words to extract a meaning. For this reason, writing in the professional workplace must be efficient. Conciseness and simplicity are the key to accomplishing this.
If you write protracted and convoluted sentences, with prodigious and incongruous words –as students are often advised to do in academic composition– individuals will have trouble quickly comprehending your message; they will not have the desire to continue reading; and your work will be for naught. See how unpleasant that last sentence was? Imagine an entire report of complicated sentences; it would not be easy for many readers to quickly skim and interpret such a document.
Efficiency if vital to business communication, but effectively transmitting the proper information is equally important. Do not assume your audience possesses the same set of language skills you do. Avoid jargon, witti-cisms, and advanced vocabulary. Use short words and tight phrases that are well articulated. If the reader does not understand you, your message cannot be conveyed.
Long complex sentences and paragraphs are daunting to a busy professional, so your goal should be to produce something condensed and simple, without redundancies. You do not however, want to be so brief as to sacrifice meaning within your message. Achieving this, while at the same time engaging the audience, is the challenge of writing well.
The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.
— Thomas Jefferson
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Official Newsletter of the UCSB Business Communication Program - Spring 2012
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INTERNSHIPS/JOBS IN WRITINGBy Megan Singleton
Yardi SystemsAdministrative Assistant/Sales Contractor Hours/Week: 40 (full-time)
Job Description:“This position includes contract creation for software sales and providing other administrative support tasks to the global sales team.”
Skills Required:• Be a motivated and enthusiastic team player who has the ability to multi-task and stay focused in a fast-paced, changing environment. • Precise attention to detail and strong organizational skills. • Strong written and verbal communication skills, math skills, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and database software.• Have experience in legal/sales contracting and office adminis-tration• BA degree highly preferred in English or related field
Contact:Julia Hardcastle-LeitchRecruitment [email protected]
JobbookMarketing InternHours/Week: 15-20 (part-time)
Job Description:“The Marketing Intern will work with the Vice-President (Uni-versity Relations) and a team of representatives from across North America to develop a global strategy and local initiatives for advertising and promotions related to Jobbook’s outreach on university campuses.”
Skills Required: • Strong oral and written communication;• Organized and detail-oriented;• Experience with budgeting;• Familiar with event planning;• Comfortable with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint;• Knowledge of social media, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter;• Ability to work with Adobe Photoshop is preferred.
Contact: Zach NewburghVice-President (University Affairs), [email protected]
SB Fitness MagazineMarketing InternHours/Week: 5-10 (90 day commitment)
Job Description:“This is an opportunity for you to work with the owner and gain experience in writing, marketing, search engine optimization, social media, and all things related to starting and launching an online business.”
Skills Required: •Excellent written and oral communication skills•Thorough researching and editing skills•Teamwork •Organization •Attention to detail•Ability to take initiative •Experience with image and video editing
Contact:Doug [email protected]
Society805.comPublishing InternHours/Week: 10
Job Description:“You will create high quality and informative articles across a variety of topics such as lifestyle, technology, food & wine, arts & cultural, beauty, travel, fashion and shopping. You will alsointerview people of interest...new and existing business owners, philanthropists, and celebrities.”
Skills Required: • Experience with an Internet publishing company a plus.• Some experience researching and writing outstanding, original content a plus.• Excellent creative writing skills, attention to detail, good gram-mar spelling. • BA/BS in journalism, English, or communications.• Experience with Photoshop or other image editing programs.• Ability to work independently.
Contact:Society805.com
Official Newsletter of the UCSB Business Communication Program - Spring 2012
BIZCOMM EVENTS
Megan Singleton
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 1 2 3
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Web Portfolio Presentations
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Last day of class!
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**Writing Celebrations
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Finals Week
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13 14 15
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UCSB Graduation
17
UCSB Graduation
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Summer Break (6/18-‐6/22)
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20 21 22 23 24
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Summer School Starts
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The Professional Writing Minor provides an opportunity for students to develop and perfect communication and writing skills that are commonly used in the business world. The minor is split into three separate tracks so students can focus on what type of writing they want to develop: Business Communication, Multimedia Com-munication, or Professional Editing.
The Business Communication Program specifically gives students hand-on experience in the world of profes-sional business writing. Through the capstone courses, students work on a variety of assignments for real cli-ents. These projects help to develop student’s written, visual, oral, and collaborative skills. The training students receive gives them an invaluable edge over other graduating seniors as they enter the working world.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Layout: Allan KapoorPhotos: Kellock Irvin