OPINION
It^s All About Communication
by Dr. Todd Frobish
Want a job? Want to be successful in that job? Promoted? Given regular salary advancements? Be recruited by national headhunters working for
• Fortune 500 corporations?
Well, it won't happen solely because of your expertise or experience. It also won’t happen because of which school you went to, what your major
was, how high your grades were, with whom you trained, and not even who you know. It will happen because of your ability to communicate. If
you think anything else, you’re fooling yourself. Communication is the key to succeeding in the job market. Are you ready? Here are four areas
you may find deserve extra attention.
First, how are your interpersonal communication skills? Listening, for example, is essential to building stable relationships at the workplace
and beyond, and I’m sure you would agree. In fact, good listeners are trusted more, seen as more responsible, and even perceived as more
attractive. But do you listen effectively, or just think you do? Most people, due to diminishing attention spans and a lack of effort, listen very poorly,
remembering, at best, only half of what they hear immediately after hearing it. Test yourself sometime, and see for yourself.
Here’s another quick quiz. What comes first to your mind when I use the term “communication?” If two people talking to each other is it, then
you’re right on^target with most people. While such verbal discussions are certainly important, we place way too much emphasis on this one
activity. Did you know that at least ninety percent of our messages are not verbal, but nonverbal? Why, then, do we virtually ignore the subject?
When, in fact, was the last time you personally reviewed your use of eye contact, gestures, body posture, gait, clothing, interpersonal space,
and so on? Ever been talking to someone and he or she suddenly became defensive and you didn’t know why? Perhaps you’ve done something
nonverbally. In fact, count on it! Nonverbal messages, intended or not, are very powerful.
How about this: Do you actively seek out opportunities to work in groups or teams? Or, do you avoid group work because you think it's a waste
of time? Think it is better to work alone than in teams because you’ll end up doing all of the work or be held accountable for the incompetence of
others? You’re not alone. But survey after survey shows the exact opposite; the great majority of teams works quite efficiently, and, in general, the
groups are more productive when those in a team work toward common goals.
Finally, how competent are you when it comes to communication technology? Can you create a professional-looking PowerPoint presentation?
Most people can’t. The typical PowerPoint slideshow unfortunately includes cheap clipart graphics and sound effects, loads of complete
sentences and even full paragraphs worth of written material, and a total lack of comprehension that the technology is there to supplement the
speaker and not the other way around. What do you know about Podcasting? Web design? Video conferencing? Such knowledge and technical skills could really set you apart from
the crowd!
So do you have the right skills to move forward into your careers? Strong interpersonal skills? Nonverbally competent? Willing to work in groups? Technologically adept? These and
more will be required of you if you wish to succeed. If you vvant to reap the benefits the future has to offer, don’t stop with your basic public speaking course. Take all the communication
courses you can, and pay attention even to the little things! After all, it’s all about communication.
Todd S. Frobish, PhD, is Associate Professor and Area Coordinator of the Communication program within the Department of Performing and Fine Arts.
Where Will the Next Earthquake Hit?
by Brensha Williams
With major earthquakes occurring in places such as Haiti,
Chile, Indonesia, and Turkey, is another major earthquake
due to hit the U.S? The close proximity of the catastrophic
events in Haiti and Chile has led researchers to believe
we are next. Scientists warned for years that Haiti was at
risk for a major earthquake, and it happened. Scientists
predicted Chile was getting hit, and it did. According to
National Geographic News, California is next. Dozens of
earthquakes have hit California since the beginning of the
year, sparking controversy as to whether a major disaster
will occur.
A new report revealed that by 2037, California will almost
certainly be impacted by a major earthquake. Data
revealed a 99.7% chance that a 6.7 magnitude quake or
greater will strike. Scientists have successfully been able
to forecast large quakes caused by seismic gaps. Seismic
gaps are active faults where no earthquake has occurred
for a significant amount of time. The San Andreas is the
boundary between the Pacific plate and North American
Plate. It runs a lengthy 810 miles through California
and Mexico. According to a geophysicist with the U.S.
Geological Survey, a shift in these plates will result in a
major earthquake in Southern California.
Despite these warnings, it seems many people have not
taken heed to these predictions. Virginia Salvador, a senior
biology major at Fayetteville State, lived in California
for 22 years before moving to Fayetteville. She plans to
move back to California after she graduates, despite the
warnings. “We're not going to leave. I live on the San
Andreas Fault, about an hour away from the ocean. We’re
not going anywhere,” said Salvador.
The largest earthquake in California occurred on the
San Andreas Fault in 1857. In 1906, one of the most
devastating earthquakes occurred in San Francisco,
California, causing a lengthy rupture, and displacing the
San Andreas Fault. Because of this seismic gap, this is the
primary factor in the validity of claims suggesting a major
earthquake is bound to happen soon.
Although no catastrophic earthquakes have happened in
the history of North Carolina, it is still possible. According
to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency),
possible earthquake danger zones in the southeastern
region of the U.S. could cause one of the highest
economic and natural disaster losses due to the lack of
preparation. “I would feel scared, shocked, and would not
know what to do. I have never experienced an earthquake
before. I would feel better prepared if I knew what to do
in a situation like this,” said sophomore biology major
Appiffany Joiner.
Since it is impossible to predict exactly when an
earthquake will occur, it is crucial to be prepared if
an event should happen. FEMA advises to check for
hazards in the home, ensuring that breakable items
such as glasses and dishes are stored in cabinets with
latches. Second, identify a safe place. Stay away from
windows, mirrors, and bookcases and find a sturdy piece
of furniture such as a heavy table or desk to take cover.
Next, have supplies on hand such as a flashlight, first
aid kit, food, and water. These safety precautions will
help tremendously if such an event strikes at any given
moment.