1. Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook website at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ (Links to an external site.) and use the search box to research information about your desired position or career. For additional or more detailed information, you can also visit a specific company’s website.
2. Interview a professional in your desired career path to determine how much and what types of professional communication they engage in. For example, do they spend a large portion of their day writing or on the phone? Do they make client presentations or pitches in person? Do they use e-mail and, if so, how frequently? What are their communication pet peeves? What attire do they wear to convey confidence, poise and responsibility? What communication advice or tips do they have for others to be successful in this career?
3. Write an informative report in memo format that discusses the findings from your Occupational Outlook research and interview(s). Your closing paragraph or summary should include conclusions you have reached regarding communication skills in this field. In addition, it should include recommendations you have for others entering this field. How do you plan to sharpen your technical and communication skills after conducting this research? Did anything surprise you? How do you view this career choice differently?
