Communication

Listen & Observe

Hearing what is being said and observing nonverbal cues to prevent miscommunication, promote understanding, gather and receive feedback, and demonstrate a sense of caring about what others want to communicate.

Nonverbal Communication

Using body language, gestures, other cues, and visual aids to support the conveyance of meaning.

Summarize & Distill Information

Selecting, sorting, and combing information in order to capture and reflect on important facts, concepts, and processes leading to increased comprehension and the ability to convey information in a concise and coherent manner.

Verbal/Sign Communication

Using spoken and/or signed communication to share information with others one-on-one, in small groups, and/or in front of a large audience in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner.

Written Communication

Using written formats to share information with others in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner.

Looking for ways to develop your communication skills? Check out some of the opportunities available to you below to improve and develop your communication skills.

• Leadership & Professional Development Competencies Self-Guided Learning
  (Brightspace Course)
  • Employers expect students to graduate with both career specific knowledge and well developed abilities related to such areas as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and continuous learning. This course offers self-guided learning modules to help students (1) understand employer expectations and (2) develop a strategy to meet those expectations. Each learning module focuses on a specific competency that has been identified in cooperation with employers. The competencies are also linked to the university’s embedded and foundational learning outcomes.
• The Purdue Writing Lab
  • The Writing Lab is open to all Purdue students, faculty, and staff on the West Lafayette campus. You must present your PUID card at the time of your appointment. We update the Writing Lab pages often, and we hope you check back to get the information you need.
• The Purdue Online Writing Lab
  • The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University houses writing resources and instructional material, and we provide these as a free service of the Writing Lab at Purdue. Students, members of the community, and users worldwide will find information to assist with many writing projects. Teachers and trainers may use this material for in-class and out-of-class instruction.
• Brian Lamb School of Communication
  • The Lamb School of Communication continues Purdue's strong tradition of communication scholarship, providing excellent graduate and undergraduate education while supporting the values of Brian Lamb, including a commitment to openness in communication and public affairs. In addition to these commitments, the School is committed to building bridges to the media industry and to partnering with the C-SPAN Archives which are located in Purdue's Research Park.
• Krannert School of Management - Krannert Communication Center
  • The Krannert Communication Center promotes the creation and delivery of quality and quantity experiential learning activities providing opportunities for students to practice communication, teamwork, problem solving and professionalism. The Krannert Communication Center partners with industry leaders and across Purdue's campus to enable students to participate in signature-learning opportunities outside the classroom. There are case competitions, workshops, resources, and research opportunities available on their website.
• Center for Career Opportunities and Pre-Professional Advising
  • The Center for Career Opportunities informs and empowers students and graduates using transformative career services, innovative technologies and collaborative synergies to connect with professional opportunities within Indiana, the United States and the world.
• Student Employment
  • The staff in Purdue’s Student Employment Services is here to assist you in finding part-time work to help pay for some of your college expenses. Of course, earning money is the primary reason for getting a job. But there are many more benefits when you work during college. Working 8-12 hours per week while in school actually has been shown to help academic achievement. The workplace is a great way to meet people. While on the job you'll be able to take on new responsibilities and develop practical skills like time management, problem solving and organization. You might even make professional contacts for after graduation. Plus, working looks really good on your resume!
• Careers at Purdue Dining & Culinary
  • Looking for a paycheck, real-world work experience, and a flexible schedule that fits your busy life? Purdue Dining & Culinary offers students all of these things and more, boosting your bank account while giving you valuable experience that employers are looking for after graduation.
• Student Employment at Recreation & Wellness
  • In order to work for Recreation and Wellness, visit the Student Employment website and fill out a job application. Not sure which area you are interested in? Check out the many jobs we have available at Recreation and Wellness by visiting our website.
• Purdue Course Listing
  • The catalog has a complete list of approved Purdue West Lafayette courses that may be used for meeting foundational learning outcomes.

For specific resources, search the Experiences Database

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