Communication Skills
When I think back to some of the classes I have taken over the two years I attended Chippewa Valley Technical College I remember a lot of classes that I enjoyed; most of these classes were programming classes involving the knowledge that I would need to plunge head-first into an information technology career. But somewhere in this reminiscence I was struck by what might seem like an odd thought to most people in our program. I found that I really enjoyed the Technical Reporting, Written Communication, and Oral and Interpersonal Communication classes required for our program. At the time I was taking the classes I probably wouldn't have said the same but now, looking back, I do believe that to be true.
You are probably wondering where this is going and I'll stop beating around the bush and come straight out with it. These writing and communication classes have been instrumental in producing content like the articles you read from time to time on this very website. This content is a very important part of our website. With the skills I have learned through these writing and communication courses I am able to present informed articles about the technologies we are learning here at CVTC. I also use these skills on other websites that I maintain.
A lot of times I hear fellow students describe their indifference to written communication and oral communication classes. There is, at some level, a questioning of these requirements for our program. I understand some of these opinions, but let's take a look at what can happen if someone without these skills attempts to produce a website or other technology related content that is likely to be viewed online by a potential audience of millions. Those skills include: analyzing, researching, pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, and of course writing. Knowing how to use these skills correctly and effectively can help you produce great content. If you don't know how to use these skills you will not effectively communicate with your users.
Here is a list of websites that were produced without the use of these skills. These websites are ineffective at reaching their target audiences. Many times users of these websites find themselves wondering what to do next because they become lost. There is usually little or no logical flow.
- http://www.hrodc.com/ - Ask yourself how anyone is able to find what they are looking for on this website. Imagine the amount of time you could spend searching for the exact link that you need on this website. How many of you would just give up after a while and try to search google instead?
- http://www.modestapparelchristianclothinglydiaofpurpledressescustomsewing.com/ - Yes, you are reading that correctly... This domain name does have 62 characters in it! I think I laughed more than anything else when I was trying to take in the information on this website.
- http://www.wherever.com/ - This site uses flash technology in a bad way. When presenting information to your audience you don't want to immediately take it away from them. Try using their navigation system, I dare you.
- http://www.mastercraftelectric.com/ - I understand that this site was most likely created by a person with absolutely no knowledge of web design. However, the communication on this web site is somewhat flawed. When you arrive at the About Us page you almost expect to learn more about the company like where it is located, who the owners are, and information like that. Instead you are presented with what appear to be the Services this company provides.
Those are just a few of the websites on the Internet that demonstrate a lack of basic communication skills, there are many, many more. I am glad that I have an opportunity to be different because of the communication classes required within our program.
The Technical Reporting, Written Communications, and Oral and Interpersonal Communications classes in our program taught me how to effectively communicate with my audience, no matter what situation or environment. This is useful when writing reports, giving presentations, planning projects, producing charts and graphs, writing letters and memos, completing everyday tasks like emailing, the list goes on. Today I've described using these skills to effectively produce websites. These skills will be useful throughout the rest of my career in information technologies. I would suggest keeping these skills honed and ready for use to anyone in a technology related career.
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