CMN 211: Business Communication

Anissa Rodriguez

Have you thought about what skills it takes to write a good business memo or a well thought-out cover letter? These are skills that we are all going to need when going out into the workforce.

Fortunately, the Communication Department offers a course called CMN 211- Business Communication. Within this course you will complete business briefings, write a detailed resume and cover letter, setup your LinkedIn profile and conduct interviews with your classmates.

According to the instructor of this course, skills that all employers look for is being able to write well and being able to effectively communicate with others. These skills are used every single day when updating your boss on your progress and when collaborating in teams. The employer’s first indicator of how well you write is through reading your cover letter and resume; so it is essential that you spend time on them and have them edited by another professional. In addition, you can further your writing skills through writing memos that are required almost every assignment to update your instructor on your progress.

Another skill you gain within this course is conducting research and being able to efficiently communicate your findings with an audience. You must do in-depth research for any company you apply for so that you are familiar with the company culture and objectives. A way to practice this is through the business briefing assignment, in which you research a company’s mission, vision, stock prices, fiscal year reports, etc. and put together a presentation for the class. Another presentation you are required to give is for the pick- two project. This project allows you to choose two of the three options which are researching a job position and interviewing a professional in that position, attending two career fairs, and setting up a professional social media account and personal website. Through this you will explore possible career paths and positions, and set yourself up with tools for the interview and recruiting process.

This course is extremely valuable for anyone who is applying for internships or positions after undergrad; and it is a plus that you can set yourself up for success while earning credit hours for graduation.