Be Compassionate: A student’s first responsibility is to be human. While I always challenge them in the classroom to produce their best work and think critically, I understand they are not Atlas. Students have other things going on outside of school, and I try to keep that in mind. If they come to me with questions, struggles or to simply talk, my door is always open. I believe it is important for instructors to display their human side. I feel that this creates a comfortable environment in which diversity is welcomed and students are comfortable, excited about learning, and engaged in the process.

Generate Ideas: People often use the phrase, “Think outside of the box.” Well, I like to think there is no box. There are no limits. That’s why I want students to understand the importance of generating ideas. I encourage them to do this by keeping their ears and eyes open to what’s going on around them. Having ideas shows that you are taking initiative and actively engaged in culture and society. Too often communication specialists become complacent and take on projects that aren’t really “new.” I don’t think this allows a student to grow and develop. There are so many things happening in society that have the potential to be explored from different angles.

Follow Through: Being in communication can be tough. You might schedule an interview with someone only to have them cancel last minute or be a no-show. You might invest a lot of time in a project only to realize that is isn’t feasible with the current design. Instead of simply moving on, it is good practice to follow through until it has been completely exhausted. Have you looked at the problem from this angle? Have you thought about using this design or this approach? I believe this is important because it helps students build a solid work ethic. I have had students work on projects that seemed like a boring chunk of coal, but when they continued to work, they often transformed into a true gem.

Be Positive: Submissions aren’t always great. I believe it is important for students to recognize the not-so-great and learn from it. I remind students to focus on their strengths and stay confident in their ability, while also providing constructive criticism and positive feedback on assignments. I have thrived under faculty who “pushed me” with positivity. This is why I grade papers with a green pen, not a red pen – green means go, red means stop. I tell students to keep moving.

Expand Your Skill Set: If you’re a one-dimensional communication specialist in today’s market, you’re going to have trouble standing out. For a student, it might be a little intimidating to explore theoretical concepts or use a foreign methodology. However, an academic setting is the perfect place to explore different techniques and bolster expertise in areas previously outside of your comfort zone. I try and introduce students to different approaches to communication and encourage them to pursue what they are most passionate about in hopes of making the experience a little less daunting.

Following these five concepts has made me a more confident professor and enabled me to communicate more effectively with students. I’m proud to say that I still keep in contact with past students and thoroughly enjoy following their careers.