Often, students resist basic college communication courses because the connection to their major or occupational interests is not immediately or directly clear. However, for most jobs requiring a college degree, abilities related to communication consistently are at the top of employers’ wish lists for perspective employees. These skills include problem-solving, collaboration, writing, speaking, and analysis. A recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers^[1] confirms these long-standing employer desires in employee attributes:

The top three attributes are directly related to effective communicative abilities, as are six of the top eleven. So, learning the skills developed in this kind of course are essential for whatever job one likely pursues via a college degree.

Furthermore, almost any course and major one encounters in college requires aptitude with communicative skills, so even a student’s immediate goals and interests directly and inexorably link up to what is covered in an English course. So, working on reading, writing, speaking, analysis, critique, and interpersonal communication are vital for success in the workplace and college. And, of course, communicating with family, friends, businesses, governmental institutions, etc. are a fact of daily life, so the competencies addressed in this course are valuable to one’s extra-occupational or educational interests too!