Too many walls, not enough bridges: Cultivating communication and critical thinking skills through networking and presentation in the era of virtual work

Keywords: networking, communication skills, virtual work

Abstract: In the ever-changing business landscape, more work is now completed in a remote setting than ever before (U.S. Census Bureau, 2022). As the skills demanded by employers also continue to change, communication remains a noted deficiency for college graduates (NACE, 2022). To bridge this skill gap, the classroom exercise outlined in this session provides students with the opportunity to practice the critical thinking needed to analyze real world situations and identify management theory in practice. In addition, the exercise also facilitates pathways to industry-appropriate avenues for students to hone their communication skills through professional networking and a culminating virtual presentation.