The Best Team I Was Ever On

I often give presentations at local high schools to promote and inform students and their parents about the financial aid process. Yesterday was my second presentation of the fall. As I left Chaparral High School in Temecula, I realized that my collegiate speech team may have been the best training for the work force I have ever received.

The first time I had ever heard of competitive speaking, was in 1999, when my freshman roommate left for her first competition. Amanda did well, and brought home some “hardware” or trophies she received for placing in her tournaments. It sounded interesting, but I didn’t really know what else was involved. Then in the spring 2001, I took my required Oral Communications course, and did pretty well. I liked doing the research, and was able to put together a pretty good speech. Unfortunately, I can’t remember what it was on, but my professor thought I was pretty good, and introduced me to John Pate. I signed up for the speech and debate team for my junior year, and even received a scholarship for my participation. And to my surprise, I qualified for the final competition at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois my junior year. The following year, I qualified two pieces for the final competition at The University of Mississippi.

What I learned from being on the team has been more valuable than any plastic trophy I received. I learned basic presentation skills; know your information or at least sound confident, make eye contact, don’t stumble or stutter, and know your time limit. This is great when making a presentation to a crowd, but has also come to be of benefit when answering questions or making a proposal during meetings at work. It has helped with my overal over verball skills. I can communicate clearly so that my audience understands what I am trying to get across. This has even been extended to my phone skills. Until I started listening to other professional phone calls, I didn't realize how many times people use the word "um". The practice with public speaking has helped me not get flustered on the phone, even with speaking with an upset parent. I truely beleive these skills were learned through my participation on the speech team.

I learned how to dress professionally. I had to get a couple of suits while on the team and they were great to have when I started my first job, which 6 years later, I’m still at. I learned you only get one first impression, so make it count. Be it right or wrong, how you look will often determine how people approach and treat you. I was the young one in my office, but I wasn’t going to look like it. This included keeping my hair out of my face. I was so annoyed during one interview with a potential counselor when she continued to toss her hair out of her face every two minutes. Most of my fashion advice came from my teammate and roommate Jaime. It was more of my watching Jaime and the suits she wore. Jaime had been on the team longer, had multiple wins, and a wonderful sense of style. She was always classy without being overly trendy.

Overall, this brief two year training has been invaluable. I wish I could make everyone of the financial aid counselors pass an oral communication course.