Organizational Communication: EXL Reflection Paper
Majoring in Organizational Communication has proved to be extremely effective in preparing me for real life experiences and future career possibilities. The EXL program here at Middle Tennessee State University has contributed significantly in adding to my educational progress. Over the past two years we have learned how to critically analyze past and current practices as well as styles in organizational communication and analysis.
Many of our group projects within various classes have enabled us to construct appropriate research and analysis methods, . These group projects have allowed us to objectively decide what research and analysis is needed for specific organizational communication situations. Throughout various course projects we have had the opportunity to design and implement communication analysis projects, determine recommendations based on analysis results, and effectively communicate to our classmates what we have learned and suggest future references and recommendations by presenting our field work. This program has proved to be extremely effective in preparing us to verbally communicate our findings and recommendations successfully, as well as how to apply all of our research related to our discipline to outside community efforts and organizations.
Our web site critique was an interesting project where we had the opportunity to critique two different web sites and determine what changes needed to be made in order to communicate to general public audiences more effectively. Analyzing publications, such as brochures, was also beneficial in that we learned how to determine what word spacing and word count meant in terms of reading a clear publication, and what constitutes a correct way to format such a publication. For my exploratory interview, I had the opportunity to explore the various responsibilities of upper management within the non-profit organization, the YMCA, and examine the different leadership styles and organizational culture and structure between the executive director and staff.
Our group projects were beneficial in that we worked together to determine various data and present to the class our findings, as well as our recommendations. In conclusion, the EXL program is a very beneficial program in preparing us for detail oriented careers, as well as how to successfully communicate to our staff and outside clients within our organization. The program allows students to actively participate in hands on involvement.