Communication Contexts

open activity

We initially called this module the “elevator pitch” module, as indeed, developing a short pitch or narrative is the central activity throughout. However, we wanted to emphasize the strategy behind constructing successful pitches or short answers that showcase your skills – a lot of thought and practice can go into one minute of narrative!

Strategic communications like the pitches you will practice in this module can happen in a variety of contexts – at a conference or networking event, during job interviews – really in any semi-structured or semi-formal space where you are asked to talk about yourself or your work.

In this module you will be developing and practicing two elevator pitches, one that describes your research and a second highlighting a non-research professional interest, accomplishment or project. Our goal is that you will develop something that is flexible enough that you can strategically tweak it to fit distinct contexts in which you might be talking to someone else.

We have developed a worksheet that can help walk you through this process. Please fill out Part 1 as you consider what pitches you want to create and the context in which you might use each one.