Not-for-credit workshops have been part of our program offerings for years, but they have been slow to restart since the pandemic. We are delighted, therefore, to have been invited by two OSCI groups – New Horizons and the Asian Club – to hold a two-part communication workshop. Last Friday we held part 1 and were thrilled to have 28 people join us, about half of whom were completely new to our program.
As we say in the workshops, communication is one of the most sought-after “soft skills” for employers, and one of the key abilities for interpersonal relationships in daily life. Using a series of activities, participants practiced public speaking, active listening, written persuasive communication for different audiences, and offering constructive critique. Public speaking is a profound source of anxiety for most people, so a supportive environment in which to practice is of enormous importance.
One takeaway from the workshop was the interpersonal connection between participants as they practiced these skills together. When debriefing the session, several people mentioned having spoken with people they had never had a real conversation with before, and feeling a sense of camaraderie in the room.
We look forward to Part 2 this coming Friday!