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 Communicating as a Professional

      In a vastly changing world, trends are constantly being made and changed. Due to recent inventions like text messaging, people have been finding ways to get their ideas and responses to others in a short and to-the-point way. Many people use abbreviations, slang, and pictures to demonstrate what they are trying to say; this has set a trend throughout the nation. A lot of people entering the workforce carry the way they text into the way they write in a professional sense.  

      Adams and Weins are writers working for some well-known companies called Forbes and iFixit. Both Adams and Weins make intellectual assertions in articles that they wrote on good grammar in the workplace. In the workplace, it

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Works Cited:

 “What Is a Mineralogist?” EnvironmentalScience.org. N.p.,n.d. Web. 22 Sept. 2016.                                         <http://www.environmentalscience.org/career/mineralogist

Adams, Susan. "Why Grammar Counts at Work." Forbes. 20 July 2012. Web. 12 Sep.     2016.                         < http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2012/07/20/why-grammar-counts-at-                         work/ >.

Weins, Kyle. "I Won't Hire People Who Use Poor Grammar. Here's Why." Harvard Business Review:               HRB Blog Network. 20 July 2012. Web. 12 Sep. 2016.                                                                               <http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/07/i_wont_hire_people_who_use_poo.html >.

is important to use grammar well. The way one uses grammar portrays one’s sense of intelligence and organization (Adams 5). Professional establishments like to have employees who use grammar correctly because they make the company look good; correct grammar usage and clear sentences structure suggest that one deserves respect. Poor grammar conveys sloppiness; people will judge someone if he/she does not use grammar correctly, it is just the hard truth (Weins 6). Many business owners believe that people who think grammar is unimportant also think that other important things are unimportant. Business owners also believe that people who make fewer grammatical mistakes make fewer mistakes while working. In the end, it just makes sense for businesses to care about applicants’ knowledge of grammar, not only for the image of the company, but for the credibility as well.  

      Good grammar and communication skills will matter in the workplace, and they are very important qualities to have for the field that I plan to enter, mineralogy. Mineralogists analyze, interpret, and report mineralogical data. (What Does a Mineralogist Do, par. 4) are expected to write detailed research papers, collaborate with teams of professionals, and present findings or data to customers to support the growth of the business. Therefore, having correct grammar for research papers and being able to communicate clearly to a team or a group of possible customers is an important skill to have. When working in a professional setting, one should act and look professional; using grammar well and communication skills helps achieve that look. As a geologist, it is often required to attend conferences and important meetings. When I attend meetings and conferences in the future, it would be best for me to use grammar correctly and communication skills to portray myself as a smart and organized individual.  

      My current communication skills consist of being a very good listener, a good reader, a pretty good writer, and a good researcher. I also have a pretty good grasp on using communication media. All of these are important to having good communication and grammar in the workplace, but I am also missing some other very important skills. I am not the best at editing papers or proofreading, which is a skill that I will need while writing important research papers and presentations. I am also not the best at speaking in front of people who I do not know; this is a very important skill that I would need to have when presenting to possible new clients or at a conference. Taking this English class, or any college English class, will definitely help with my proofreading and editing. I will be expected to proofread and edit others’ papers as well as my own; over time, I expect to learn these through hands-on experience. As for speaking, I can get better in my own time and during class. I can take time to practice speaking in front of friends or family members by asking if it is ok to read my writings aloud. In class, I can practice speaking in front of the teacher and my fellow classmates by volunteering to read excerpts or read my papers aloud as an example. My speaking on its own is fine, it's just that I have a problem in front of people; over time, I will become a better public speaker by taking a class or volunteering to speak aloud in my classes. I can become better at public speaking if I try hard enough and utilize my time and the time of others to practice.

      It is important that people going into the workforce have skills in any aspect of communication and grammar, not only to look professional, but also to maintain their job as well. These skills show organization and intelligence; employers look for these traits and skills in applicants. There are many resources you can find that will help you achieve these skills, whether it is a public speaking class, an English class, or through the help of friends and family. Hopefully, modern students will take the time to gain better knowledge and skill in grammar and communication so they can be better-prepared for their future field of work.

 

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