Why communication skills matter
"Professionals who have the skills to produce high-quality content are more likely to advance than those who do not," says Kim McLean-Fiander.
From developing relational intelligence to learning new technology, professionals need effective communication skills in every industry and workplace today.
In this Q&A with Kim, a seasoned professor and professional communication expert, she shares insights about her journey, the importance of clear writing, and how copyediting can benefit future career prospects.
Kim's insights on communication
Tell us more about yourself and what drew you to the field of communication.
I have had a varied career that has included stints as a freelance editor, working in libraries, and teaching English as an additional language. In all these areas—and arguably in all workplaces—effective (i.e., clear, coherent, consistent and correct) communication is vital to ensure that people understand who you are and what you are trying to communicate.
For the past decade, I have been a professor in the UVic English Department, teaching courses in English and professional communication. Some people think that English professors are impressed by writers who use big words and flowery language, but that’s not necessarily the case. While I admire writers with a distinct sense of style, their ability to express themselves clearly is just as important to me. I have been drawn to teaching writing and copyediting because I know that students who acquire excellent communication skills will have better opportunities down the road.
What excites you most about the new Professional Communication in the Workplace program?
I thoroughly enjoy teaching my usual cohort of full-time students, but I expect a wider diversity of students (both full-time and part-time) will be drawn to the Professional Communication in the Workplace program. So, I am excited to meet and get to know a potentially more diverse range of students who have varied work and life experiences.
Who is your copyediting course designed for, and what type of professional roles might benefit the most from taking it?
This course will benefit any professional who needs to write in their workplace or who is tasked with editing other people’s writing. Those working in government, business, education, science, industry, media, and publishing will find this course particularly helpful.
What specific skills or knowledge will learners gain from your course?
Students will learn to recognize common variants of spelling, punctuation and editorial style (i.e., hyphenation, capitalization, abbreviations, treatment of numbers and names, quotations, references, etc.) and choose the appropriate variant following a given editorial style. They will apply knowledge of grammar, spelling, usage, diction and style to copyedit a manuscript so that it is clear, coherent, consistent and correct.
They will learn to edit documents using Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat Pro software and to use standard handwritten proof marks. They will learn to find answers to questions by using dictionaries, style manuals, usage guides, and other print and electronic resources, and they will learn how to prepare an editorial style sheet.
Finally, students will gain a better understanding of issues relating to diversity, inclusivity and bias-free language in an editorial context. By the end of the copyediting course, students will know what copyeditors do and how their work differs from other editors. They will better understand the relationship between copyeditor and author and how to ensure that relationship is a positive one.
How does the course content address current trends or industry challenges in professional communication?
It is vital in professional communication to stay on top of terminology changes in a range of contemporary contexts. As well as learning editing skills, this course allows students to gain a better understanding of issues relating to diversity, inclusivity and bias-free language. For instance, in the course module on elements of Indigenous style, students come to understand how to demonstrate cultural respect by learning the importance of using appropriate terminology and which words to capitalize when editing Indigenous content.
Why do you think copyediting and professional communication skills are important for career advancement today?
We live in a world of so much content, much of which is low-quality—either in substance or style. Workplaces are constantly on the lookout for employees who can either produce high-quality written content themselves or who can edit others’ writing to ensure that it is of the best quality, because that quality reflects well on the workplace’s reputation or brand. Professionals who have the skills to produce high-quality content are more likely to advance than those who do not.
How will the course help learners apply what they learn in their daily work environments?
Copyediting skills are vital to communicating clearly and effectively in all workplace writing scenarios (e.g., emails, contracts, summaries, reports, white papers, essays, meeting minutes, briefings, press releases or memos). Clear, coherent, consistent and correct communication not only ensures that accurate information is disseminated but also conveys an air of credibility about the communicators.
A simple typo or sloppy formatting can instantly erode the ethos of the writer.
This course will not necessarily make every student a perfect writer or copyeditor, but it will make students more aware of the things they need to pay attention to in writing and give them a range of resources that they can consult to find answers to niggling questions like whether the word "premier" should always be capitalized or whether it should only be capitalized when it appears before a personal name.
What sets the Micro-certificate in Professional Communication in the Workplace apart from other programs?
This program introduces students to the wide range of issues they should take into consideration when writing or editing, from something as simple as knowing basic hyphenation rules to more complex issues such as knowing which Indigenous words to capitalize to convey appropriate cultural respect. The program offers practical skills that will immediately enhance participants’ competence in communicating in the workplace as well as opportunities to reflect on bias and sociocultural nuances in a range of communication contexts.
How do you see the role of communication evolving in the future, especially with advancements in technology?
We have been living with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like spell checkers and grammar checkers for years now, and these tools can certainly help writers produce clear, grammatically correct content. Now, Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) has arrived and is changing the communications landscape.
Gen-AI can absolutely make some simple editing or note-taking tasks easier. What’s missing from Gen-AI, right now at least, is the individual human voice or sense of personal style that can transform basic, grammatically correct writing into writing that is powerful, persuasive and even inspiring.
For as long as we continue to want (and need) to hear singular authorial voices, we will continue to need good copyeditors whose job it is to work with those voices and allow them to sing.
What advice would you give for those searching for their next career opportunity?
I would encourage people to consider taking the Professional Communication in the Workplace program both to elevate their skills and to enhance their resumé. A micro-certificate like this could make one’s resumé stand out from the crowd and mean the difference between a person being called for an interview or not.
Asynchronous online courses are designed for busy people who have many commitments; they allow students to complete a course as time permits and to earn, within a short space of time, a credential that can make a substantial difference in getting hired or in moving up the career ladder.
Any other final thoughts or inspiring words you would like to share?
French fashion designer Christian Dior once said, "The detail is as important as the essential is. When it is inadequate, it destroys the whole outfit." To be sure, an eye for detail is a skill listed on innumerable job advertisements, and it is a crucial skill for copyeditors.
Some people seem to be born with that eye, while others are not. If you fall into the latter camp, don’t despair! While a copyediting course will not make you a perfect writer or editor, it will make you aware of the most common writing errors to look out for (i.e., "detail" problems) and provide you with a range of skills and resources that will help take your and others’ writing to the next level.
Learn more about the Professional Communication in the Workplace micro-certificate or explore our diverse range of flexible, online programs for professional development.
- Posted October 29, 2024
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