Public Speaking and Presenting Tips for College Students
Public speaking is an important skill in your career. Here are resources to support you now.
Hint: Hiring a coach isn’t one of ‘em.
Many college students are so eager to get a jump on their career-boosting public speaking skills while still in school. That’s why I get calls each year from college students who want to hire me as a coach. It’s great to hear this - but it’s a bit premature.
I list my reasons “why” below, and I follow it up with where college students should be looking for public speaking help.
Why Undergraduates Should Not Hire a Public Speaking / Presentations Coach:
It’s a hefty investment.
If you can find a bargain-basement coach, you’re welcome to try. But even the least expensive coach I know of charges $350 just to look at your powerpoint slides. My sessions start at $265/hour.
And while you may have well-off parents who have no problem paying for a coach, it is not a good use of your time or their money - not at this stage.Your path will likely change.
I know being reminded of your youth may sound dismissive, but I swear I’m not being dismissive. You may be set on your plan to become the female Elon Musk (absolutely not a personal hero) or the male Stephanie Kwolek (one of my personal heros), but you really don’t know where college, your first post-college job, or circumstances will take you.
When I entered college, I had my heart set on being an award-winning journalist for the Chicago Tribune. I worked at the student newspaper, I wrote, I edited, I took a summer job at another Chicago daily.
And I hated it. It was a good work experience that taught me, “Nope, journalism is not for me.” And even in my 20s, I never dreamed I’d be a business owner. By the time I was 30, I was a freelance consultant. I was able to build on prior skills, but the communication skills and needs I had at 20 were not the same at 30+ - and any coaching at a young age would have been wasted.You have enough to do as a college student.
I’m not saying don’t ever hire a coach. I highly recommend coaches of all kinds once you get your feet wet in the working pool. Just not when you’re still in school figuring things out.
And besides - college is hard. You already have enough going on. Any coach worth her fees will give you work to do beyond coaching hours, and I don’t recommend that in addition to school work. I teach at one of the best universities in the nation - believe me, I know. Even if it’s your summer break - I still will not work with college students. I need to save my college-teaching skills for my actual college students.
I will work with MBA students - that’s a whole ‘nother ball of wax. But if you’re still in undergrad, try one of the options below.
3 Places to Learn Public Speaking Skills
While You’re Still In College:
Your local community college.
Nearly every community or junior college has a basic public speaking course. Community colleges are so underrated and undervalued - and they are also affordable! A community college class will give you weekly work and practice, and at an approachable clip.
Btw, I spent my first year of college at a community college and loved it. My professors were all pros in their field, and they had real-world experience to draw on and share with us. The 4-year university I transferred to? Um….I think I hear my mother calling…You Tube.
I share my favorite and most-requested tips on my YouTube channel. And so do other public speaking pros. Start with a google search and look for the video options. You’ll get better results searching on Google vs. searching in YouTube. (I know - doesn’t make sense to me, either.)DIY: Do some storytelling or public presenting. For fun.
The best way to practice speaking in front of people is to get up and speak in front of people. I list places to practice in Chicago and nationwide. There’s one catch though: You gotta go and sign up or volunteer.
My advice is to attend a live event first, see how you feel and if you enjoy the vibe, and then speak to or email the organizer and volunteer. Pecha-Kucha is a show of presentations, and it’s fun as hell.
My Pecha-Kucha, “Pay Attention to the Brown M&Ms” (NSFW) was chosen as a Presentation of the Week in 2014! Good advice for job hunting in here.
*One note - if you’re going to watch this - this was a presentation delivered late at night, at Martyr’s in Chicago. Hence the NSFW. Be prepared for a few swears.
About The Author
Hi! I’m Marianna. I make the process of public speaking easier for my clients. And I present at conferences! I help speakers and presenters (even reluctant ones) with everything from preparation to managing anxiety and nerves to speaking with strength and confidence. Want to work together? Click that red button below and let’s talk.