If you are reading this, chances are that you have no idea what a speaking center is. They are not very common unfortunately, but they provide a tremendous amount of help. They are found at universities, and they help students in different ways depending on the university. They all revolve around the same idea, however, which is to help students with public speaking.
There are numerous reasons why every university should have a speaking center. Even if the college does not focus on communication majors, public speaking is used in the everyday world. Hyde School states that no matter the career, public speaking is inevitable.
A chef has to announce specials, a coach has to instruct their team, and so on. Even if one is not standing at a podium in front of hundreds of people, they are still speaking to an audience. Without any public speaking skills, their career will be difficult.
Public speaking helps with many life skills. Public speaking is needed in leadership, interviews, and life in general. The majority of our political and public figures have excellent communication with an audience. Even if the speakers have obstacles such as speaking anxiety, they know how to manage it so it does not get in the way. Anybody who appears confident and has strong communication skills will be more respected than one who does not.
Although interviews are not necessarily public speaking, it is important to know how to communicate in one. Some interviews may be in groups, where the interviewee speaks to multiple interviewers, or the interviewee is speaking while other interviewees are listening. Even if the interview is one-on-one, it is important to be confident and know how to properly speak.
Finally, life will constantly throw situations where public speaking is needed. Whether it is giving a speech at a wedding, a eulogy at a funeral, or simply day-to-day communication with strangers, public speaking will always be used.
Although some people are born as natural communicators, others are not. Speaking centers help the natural-born speakers improve, while also teaching the other communicators all of the tips and tricks of public speaking.
If every university had a speaking center, public speaking would not be so feared. Not to mention that productivity would increase, since every person has to use public speaking at some point in their career and daily life.
The university may need some funding to start a center, but the benefits greatly outweigh the negatives. Public speaking is such an important skill to have, and speaking centers teach students how to be a great speaker, so they will be extra prepared for the real world.
