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Laura Brink

Simply the Best
Why the Top MBA Programs in the Country Require Public Speaking Training

Laura Brink Writing the ALP can be a daunting task—faced with a semesters worth of independent research and revision can transform the most organized student into a procrastinator. But, under the diligent tutelage of the Communications faculty, the ALP can be a very enriching experience.

I knew that I wanted to focus my research on something that personally interested me—something outside my daily work life. I tried to zone in on a subject that truly interested and inspired me. I wanted to create a project that complimented the strengths and interests that are often overlooked in my busy work life. After much thought (and revision) I narrowed my topic down to a research based paper that investigated the top MBA programs in the country and the inclusion of public speaking/communication training within their curricula. Once I had a focused thesis statement and loose outline, the research fell into place quickly.

I was very fortunate to utilize opportunities to collaborate with the faculty of some of the top ranked MBA programs in the country. Specifically, my connections with the faculty at the Tuck School of Management at Dartmouth and the Sloan School of Management at MIT proved most fruitful and enriching. I was amazed at their willingness to share their own research, personal contacts, and impressions of my topic. I attended seminars on public speaking training and its impact on effective business communication; I interviewed graduates of the top ten programs, and spoke with speechwriters and other professionals whose focus is effective oral communication.

The result was a project that essentially wrote itself. It was such a satisfying experience that once I got to the actual writing—the time flew by and it was complete before I knew it. I am extremely grateful to Joan Abrams for her encouragement and enthusiasm for my topic—she proved to be an invaluable resource for connections, ideas, and other essential elements of my research and writing.

When it came time to present my paper, I chose to forego the traditional PowerPoint presentation and to write and present a formal speech. My classmates were a bit shocked, as this method is somewhat unconventional, but it seemed to fit with my topic. A paper on effective public speaking training should be delivered that way, don’t you think?

Finally, I’d offer these suggestions as you embark on this project:

Enjoy it. This is one of the last times you will have a chance to dedicate yourself to researching a subject that truly inspires you. Don’t take the easy way out and write about your work. Take the chance to explore your other interests and enjoy being a student—it might be your last time.
Utilize the expertise of our faculty. They are an invaluable resource of knowledge, connections and experience. They love to help, they want to help and the relationships you develop with them will be valuable for years to come. Additionally, utilize the library staff. They are amazing researchers and can find anything!
Take your time and be thoughtful. If you can, do your ALP without taking any other classes. Take time to get up to your elbows in research. It will pay off and remind you why you started this program to begin with. This is not a means to an end—this is academic research, take advantage of it.

This program will be over before you know it. Be present with this project. It just might catapult you to your big adventure.