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If we were to give you the option of public speaking to a crowd of 100 individuals or death, which would you choose?

Surprisingly, some people fear public speaking more than death!

For many of us, though, the idea of public speaking is appealing. You may already be an accomplished speaker, or you may just have an interest in the area and hope to enhance your writing and speaking skills.  Either way, you may wonder, can I REALLY get a career in public speaking?

YES!

To learn more about public speaking careers and opportunities, we interviewed Professor Susan Baran.

Susan Baran, lecturer at Bryant University

Professor Baran has taught public speaking at Bryant University for 10 years and has even traveled to other universities to teach the art of speaking.  She began her career in broadcasting, where she worked 16 years as a television producer, anchor, and reporter.  With majors in Communication and English, she has been able to assist Bryant students with their public speaking skills. Professor Baran is also the faculty chair of the Bryant Toastmasters.  The organization focuses on public speaking and helping students strengthen their speaking abilities.

Professor Baran successfully ran the first Public Speaking Colloquium at Bryant University this past March.  After a first round of 30 eager students displayed their public speaking skills, six finalists showed off their talent in the final round.  The response from the audience and the university has been exceptional and, as a result, as she plans to hold the event again next spring.  The Colloquium proved Bryant students have outstanding speaking and writing skills.

A question and answer session with Professor Susan Baran follows…

CommSurvivors (CS): What are the benefits of studying public speaking?

Susan Baran (SB): The answer can be broken down both in a personal and educational sense:

As a student…

• It improves the likelihood of getting hired and maintaining employment
• Employers look for good SPEAKERS and good WRITERS, and public speaking enhances both areas

As an individual

• It helps us communicate in an interpersonal context
• It teaches us to become compassionate and sensitive in our language

CS: Can public speaking become a career choice for a student with a Communication degree?

SB: Yes! Public speakers are hired for many different professions, including:

• Broadcasting
• Coaches for Politicians
• Motivational Speakers
• Speechwriters
• Spokesperson for a Corporation (i.e. introducing new products)

CS: How do you get into the field of public speaking?

SB: You have to expose yourself in class, whether it is an Introduction to Communication or Public Speaking class.

It is also about pursing the opportunity, as it will not come to you.  Students should ask interviewers about how they can apply their public speaking skills to the company they are applying for as a career.

CS: Public speaking is often a fear of most students and even adults; should this hinder their goals in becoming a public speaker?

SB: No, it should not hinder their goals as you can overcome your fears and become an effective public speaker.  It is, though, harder to pursue a career in public speaking if you have the fear of speaking to an audience.

You can at least become an asset to a company by practicing public speaking and self-improving at every chance you get.

CS: The newer generation of young adults are using video blogging (Vlogs) as a means to communicate to large audiences.  Can Vlogs create successful public speakers?

SB: Doing a video blog and speaking to a live audience are very different.  A live audience reacts differently and helps fuel passion in speakers.  Non-verbal communication is also harder to read in video form.  Being in front of a camera can help in the speaking ability, but it does not suffice for speaking in front of an audience.

CS: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

SB: Yes! I believe that Public Speaking should be a REQUIRED course at Bryant University.  Based on the results of the Public Speaking Colloquium, being able to speak and write well are crucial to the students’ ability to enter the working environment successfully.

Critical thinking is also a large part of public speaking and by teaching this course, students obtain a better understanding of how to read an audience and accommodate accordingly.

CS: Thank you Professor Baran for taking the time to talk with us today!

SB: My pleasure!

Public speaking can be a career choice for YOU if you put in the time and effort.  Remember, it is a skill, like shooting a basketball or learning a dance move.

Practice makes perfect; or at least perfection in your own mind!

If you get the chance, come to a Toastmasters meeting at Bryant University or at your respective school or workplace.  It is a great testing ground for your speaking abilities.

For more tips on public speaking:

Good luck and remember, you can be as good of a speaker as you let yourself be!

…CommSurvivors out!

Main Author: Daniel Janis

Contributing Authors/Editors: Alison Lewis, Linsey Morse, Kevin Mandeville

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