This assignment requires you to research a career or position in which you’re interested. Not only will you learn about the position itself, but also its desired requirements for the ideal candidate, salary information and more.
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?
Reports should be at least 800 words in length and use appropriate report formatting (refer to Chapter 9 of your textbook for details). Remember purpose and audience, research and organization, style and substance. Also, here is a great checklist (Links to an external site.) for reference when revising/proofreading.
