Communication, noun:

: The ability to convey vocal and non-vocal information to another effectively and efficiently.

 

Effective communication conveys a relationship between the speaker and the audience. It is not limited to verbal elements, but includes written elements, as well. I discovered this personally through a virtual internship that involved high impact research.

 

A telecommunication position amplifies the importance of effective communication in the workplace. I worked remotely for the Hudson Institute as a research intern. Without daily face-to-face communication, developing my written communication skills was essential to successfully convey my research and analysis.  Through email, I would communicate with my internship advisor by asking questions and receiving assignments. Because he was advising numerous students, I wanted to be as concise as possible during our exchanges. Through this experience, I was able to develop a skill set that improved the clarity of my writing.

 

These communication skills were put into action during my internship with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). We were among the first responders to the July 2017 Marine Corps plane crash in the Mississippi Delta. We primarily assisted in collecting and maintaining a database of military-grade firearms and explosives recovered in an eight-mile radius of the scene. The majority of firearms used in violent crimes in Chicago, the most dangerous city in the United States, originate in the Mississippi Delta; therefore, it became a priority for ATF to quickly collect and record all firearms. Quickly preparing written documents that assessed and recorded the weapons and ensuring that the other first responders understood what we were searching for was the key to success in responding to this disaster. As a result of effective communication, we were able to successfully collect, record, and store all weapons.

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