# Communication Skills

**Source**: https://www.grad.illinois.edu/professional-development/communication-skills
**Parent**: https://www.grad.illinois.edu/admissions/application-instructions

[Graduate College](https://www.grad.illinois.edu/)
[Professional Development](https://www.grad.illinois.edu/professional-development)
Communication Skills

# Communication Skills

As you explore and develop your research, communication is a key skill to consider. Whether engaging with experts in your field—such as at conferences or during a job talk—or with non-experts—such as in grant applications, media interviews, or social settings—at some point you will have to explain the work you’ve done as a graduate student to various audiences. Our communication pages include tools and exercises to help you as you begin thinking about how you communicate your research to various audiences.

- [Identifying Your Audience and Focus](https://www.grad.illinois.edu/professional-development/communication-skills/identifying-your-audience-focus "Identifying your Audience and Focus")
- [Starting Strong and Ending Strong](https://www.grad.illinois.edu/professional-development/communication-skills/starting-strong-ending-strong "Starting Strong, Ending Strong")
- [Structuring Your Presentation](https://www.grad.illinois.edu/professional-development/communication-skills/structuring-your-presentation "Structuring your Presentation ")
- [Adding Images and Visuals](https://www.grad.illinois.edu/professional-development/communication-skills/adding-images-visuals "Adding Images and Visuals")
- [Developing Your Performance Skills](https://www.grad.illinois.edu/professional-development/communication-skills/developing-performance-skills "Developing Performance Skills")
- [Responding to Feedback](https://www.grad.illinois.edu/professional-development/communication-skills/responding-feedback "Responding to Feedback")

In addition to these pages, the Graduate College has a number of resources to help you as you practice talking about what you do.

***Research Live!***: Each year, the Graduate College hosts *Research Live!*, a competition that asks graduate students from all disciplines to celebrate their work and hone their presentation skills by giving a compelling 3-minute research talk. [Learn more about the event here](https://www.grad.illinois.edu/engagement/awards-competitions/research-live "Research Live!"). You can also watch videos of previous participants on [Media Space](https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/category/Research+Live/54048231).

**Workshops**: Check out our [upcoming workshops](http://calendars.illinois.edu/list/3695) for opportunities to learn strategies for talking about your work to different audiences (including to non-experts, job search committees, and fellowship boards).

**GradLIFE Blog**: Visit our GradLIFE blog to learn more about how Illinois students talk about their work. Check out entries like:

- "[What's it Like to Compete in Research Life? Hear from a few pros](https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/6397/802821)"
- ["Your Work is Vital, Tell the World About it](https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/6397/704210)"
- ["5 Tips for Talking About Your Work"](https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/6397/693511)
- ["Getting Ready for Your First Conference Presentation"](https://blogs.illinois.edu/view/6397/645229)

**Appointments**: If you are preparing to present your work and would like tips or feedback, feel free to reach out to [gradsuccess@illinois.edu](mailto:gradsuccess@illinois.edu) to schedule an appointment with us.