Talking Your Way to the Top with Style

Abstract

Health educators are communicators. The heart and soul of what we do is done through some form of communication. A recent survey of employers revealed that writing and public speaking were the top two most desirable skills for entry-level practitioners. Although a great resume, references, and interviewing skills may get you the job, being able to communicate effectively will go a long way in helping you keep the job and advance to a higher position. It probably would be safe to assume that most health educators, given a choice, would rather develop materials than give a speech or presentation. Public speaking creates anxiety for most people. However, by following a few basic principles of speech preparation and delivery, your level of anxiety can be diminished and your performance improved.