The NAU Career Compass, December 2024

The NAU Career Development department and the Career Closet have moved to suite 242 on the second floor of the Fieldhouse, right across from the Academic Success Centers.

NAU Career Development partners with faculty, other staff, and student organizations to offer a series of professional development workshops or guest lectures. We can come to your classroom, meeting, or event to deliver an interactive presentation, which allows students to learn from each other and establishes social norms around the importance of career.

1. To start, please go to our Workshop request page and click on the hyperlinked ‘submit your request’.
2. Fill out information like your name, phone number, name of club, type of audience, and how many audience members.
3. Finally, you will select a workshop out of around ~30 workshop types depending on the needs of your club/organization. Some examples of workshop types are:
   • ‘Interview like a Professional’
   • ‘Leadership – In all its Colors’
   • ‘Functional and Transferable Skills’
   • ‘Networking and Relationship-building’
   • ‘Starting with Strengths’
   • ‘LinkedIn’

And many, many more!

Please remember that workshop requests should be made 3-4 weeks in advance of the date that you’d like us to stop by.

At NAU, student employment is dedicated to helping you develop transferable skills that will propel your future career, all while gaining experience right here on campus! Even if you haven’t landed a job yet, you’re already applying valuable skills sought by The National Association of Colleges and Employers. By focusing on communication and understanding different communication styles, you’ll discover how these skills can seamlessly translate into your professional journey.

So what is communication?

• According to The National Association of Colleges and Employers, communication consists of “clearly and effectively exchanging information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.”
• There are a ton of ways to communicate, especially in a job. Writing emails, answering telephones, talking with a peer or supervisor, voicing when you need help with a task, etc. Effectively communicating is critical to success in any job!

Why are communication styles important?

• Foster Personal and Professional Growth: Knowing your own communication style, along with those of others, is crucial for developing your interpersonal skills and advancing your career.
• Strengthen Interpersonal Relationships: Effective communication lays the foundation for strong relationships by:
  • Identifying your strengths and areas for improvement, helping you grow as a communicator.
  • Minimizing the risk of misunderstandings, ensuring clearer interactions.
  • Boosting your productivity, as effective communication streamlines collaboration and enhances teamwork.

Let’s dive into the different types of communication styles
Please remember that these styles may be called something different as it relates to other assessments

• Analytical
  • Values precision, facts, and data, thriving on accuracy.
  • Thinks critically and tends to take time before responding.
  • Enjoys exploring details, nuances, and the implications of information.
  • Prefers a logical and structured approach to discussions.
  • When engaging with this style, provide clear, systematic communication and respect their need for thoroughness.
• Driver
  • Exhibits confidence and decisiveness, with a strong focus on results.
  • Quick to make decisions and delegate tasks, excelling in goal setting.
  • Communicates directly and assertively, setting clear boundaries.
  • To connect effectively, support their objectives and be precise, efficient, and mindful of their time.
• Influencer
  • Characterized by optimism, enthusiasm, and a lively demeanor.
  • Engages playfully and energetically, often making insightful connections.
  • Values personal relationships and emotional engagement.
  • When interacting with this style, be supportive of their feelings and interests, showing genuine curiosity about them as individuals.
• Feeler
  • Prioritizes building harmonious relationships and is an attentive listener.
  • Often seen as nurturing, with a warm and empathetic communication style.
  • Interested in the emotions and perspectives of others, fostering connection.
  • To communicate effectively, be approachable and personable, while supporting their aspirations and emotional needs.

How Understanding Communication Styles Elevates Your Career

• Enhance Collaboration: By recognizing your own communication style and that of your colleagues, you can tailor your interactions to resonate with their preferences, fostering a more collaborative environment.
• Boost Idea Exchange: Understanding when to adopt a more direct communication approach enables you to present your ideas in a way that others will appreciate, leading to clearer and more effective discussions.
• Cultivate Support: Knowing your communication style helps you identify how others can best support you, allowing for a more cohesive team dynamic and shared success.
• Achieve Effective Balance: Striking a balance between your communication preferences and those of your colleagues is key. This adaptability enhances mutual understanding and leads to more productive conversations.
• Drive Success in Any Setting: Whether in the workplace or academic settings, mastering diverse communication styles is essential for building strong relationships and ensuring that your messages are received as intended.

At NAU, student employment is a gateway to acquiring invaluable skills that will propel you into your future career. This article highlights the significance of effective communication—an essential skill sought by employers. Defined as the clear exchange of information and ideas, communication is critical in various professional settings, from writing emails to collaborating with colleagues.

Understanding different communication styles—Analytical, Driver, Influencer, and Feeler—can enhance both personal and professional growth. Each style has its unique strengths and methods of interaction, influencing how we connect with others. By recognizing your own communication style and learning how to engage with diverse styles, you can improve relationships, reduce misunderstandings, and boost productivity.

Ultimately, mastering effective communication is about striking a balance that works for you and those around you, ensuring success in both academic and career pursuits. For a deeper dive into communication styles, check out additional resources linked in the article.

For more information on the communication styles Check out this Colors Preferred Communication Style Assessment!

The holidays are approaching, and you want to be able to tell your nosy family members that you are being Career Ready™ and achieving Academic Excellence™. Don’t be afraid: just by reading this and knowing that you’d like to do an internship means you are on the right path. Here are 3 things that you can do to learn about internship opportunities and begin to apply:

1. Attend the Part-Time Opportunities Fair on January 22nd 10:30-2:30pm. There will be dozens of employers who want students to introduce themselves and ask questions. Bring your resume and you never know when you’ll get a call from a recruiter hoping to set up an interview!
   Learn more and register on Handshake.
2. Research your major’s internship page for resources and information. Many majors like Parks and Rec, Psychological Sciences, and business majors have internship pages where you can learn more about the requirements for the internship and how to get academic credit for your internship. Don’t be afraid to reach out to professors from the Fall semester who you had a good relationship with to see if they have any colleagues that need research or tasks done in an internship capacity. It helps to know what skills (NACE Competencies!) and knowledge you’d like to develop as an intern.
   Need personalized help? Make a 1-1 appointment with our Internship Coordinator on Handshake.
3. Attend the Career Development and other employer Information Sessions. Information Sessions are a great way to not only learn about internship opportunities, but also meet recruiters who can give you more of an inside scoop on how to successfully obtain the internship. The next Internship Information Session will be February 5th 2025.
   Learn more and register on Handshake.

Don’t forget that we have drop-in hours Monday – Thursday at our Career Development office in the University Union Fieldhouse, Ste 242.

Our Part-Time Opportunities Fair welcomes all students looking for part-time positions, internships and volunteer opportunities. Save the date for Jan. 22 and remember to join us when you return to campus after winter break.

The NAU Career Development Office holds five career fairs each academic year. Don’t miss the three spring fairs:

• NAU Part-Time Opportunities Fair – Spring 2025
• NAU Career & Graduate School Fair – Spring 2025
• NAU Virtual Career Fair

We also host individual employers on campus for Career Coffee Corner on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. It’s a great opportunity for networking with employers in the NAU University Union.

Please visit our Career Events landing page for more information on all our events. We look forward to seeing you!