Studying Speech to Create a Career Path with Cassandra Wingert

Think speech class is just about public speaking? Think again. In this episode, Pierre Michaels sits down with Cassandra Wingert, Assistant Professor of Speech Communication at College of DuPage, to explore how communication skills shape career success in every field—from healthcare to business to law. Cassandra shares how speech courses build confidence, foster leadership, and prepare students for real-world challenges through hands-on experiences like mock interviews and persuasive presentations. Whether you're nervous about speaking up or ready to lead the conversation, this episode will show you how communication can be your most powerful career tool.View the College of DuPage Speech Communication programContact the Speech Communication program or Cassandra Wingert directly by emailing [email protected] episode transcript can be found on the episode page. Below is a general timestamp summary.00:00–00:01:30IntroductionHost Pierre Michaels introduces the Career Ready podcast and welcomes guest Cassandra Wingert, Assistant Professor of Speech Communication at College of DuPage.00:01:30–00:03:40Cassandra’s Background & RoleCassandra shares her teaching philosophy and the importance of communication skills in all professional settings.00:03:40–00:06:50Value of Speech Communication Across CareersDiscussion on how communication skills apply to various fields like healthcare, marketing, and law, and how they enhance employability and promotability.00:06:50–00:09:00Soft Skills and Classroom ExperienceExploration of how speech classes build confidence, empathy, and community through interactive learning and feedback.00:09:00–00:11:30Hard Skills and Transferable SkillsStudents gain practical skills like public speaking, interviewing, and message design, which are applicable across industries.00:11:30–00:13:40Advice for Students: Say Yes to OpportunitiesCassandra encourages students to get involved, try new things, and use experiences to build stories for interviews.00:13:40–00:17:20Classroom Activities That Build Career ReadinessOverview of real-world assignments like mock interviews, resume building, and persuasive speeches tailored to students’ career goals.00:17:20–00:20:00Final Advice: Practice, Network, and Tell Your StoryCassandra emphasizes the importance of treating college as a networking opportunity and using storytelling to stand out professionally.00:20:00–00:23:16Resources and ClosingInformation on how to learn more about the speech program at College of DuPage, and final thoughts from the host and guest.Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter