Miranda Chapman, an adjunct professor who teaches communication classes, recently shared her journey and thoughts on the field of Communications. Chapman began her academic path at Clovis Community College, where her instructors and her mother’s encouragement led her to pursue a career in Communication. She found that teaching Public Speaking was a perfect fit for her love of connecting with others. “I would much rather be teaching and commuting all over the Central Valley versus being stuck in a cubicle all day,” she explained, highlighting her passion for her work.
When it comes to helping students improve their public speaking skills, Chapman believes everyone has what it takes to become a good speaker. She encourages her students to practice and refine their existing skills, saying that each person’s style is unique. “Every person’s style of speaking is going to be different from person to person,” she pointed out, emphasizing that there’s no one right way to speak effectively.
Chapman also talked about how social media has changed communication. She mentioned that social media is now the main way people share news and stay connected, but it also makes communication more complicated. While it’s easier to connect with others from a distance, miscommunication can happen more easily without face-to-face interaction.
Outside of work, Chapman enjoys playing video games, like Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch and Baldur’s Gate 3. She’s also trying to get back into her gym routine and enjoys reading fantasy books, recommending the series “A Court of Thorns and Roses”.
For students interested in a career in Communications, Chapman’s biggest piece of advice is to network. She encourages students to talk to people working in the field, get to know their professor and gain experience through internships and extracurricular activities. “Get to know people working in the field, talk to your professors, and gain experience,” she advised, explaining that these connections and experiences can make a big difference when looking for a job after graduation.
