Beyond work or school, you may wear many different hats in your community. For example, you might be active in service organizations, athletic leagues, clubs, religious groups, or political committees. If you’re a parent, you may find yourself taking on leadership roles in your children’s schools, sports teams, clubs, or other activities. You may also decide to get involved in a social cause you feel passionate about. In each of these endeavors, public speaking skills can help you.

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For example, Tammy Duckworth, a Black Hawk helicopter pilot, received a Purple Heart military medal for being wounded in action after her aircraft was hit by a grenade near Baghdad in 2004. When she returned to the United States, she decided to enter public service. While running for Congress in 2006, she delivered campaign speeches on health care, gas prices, and the economy. Although Duckworth lost the election, she made an impression. She was asked to speak at the 2008 Democratic National Convention and was appointed the Department of Veterans Affairs assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs from 2009 to 2011, where she advocated for veterans’ issues such as therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2012, Duckworth ran for Congress again and used public speaking skills to defend her perspectives on a diverse set of issues, including the economy, Medicare, and contraceptive policy. These skills paid off again. Duckworth was elected twice, and in a March 30, 2015, YouTube video, she announced her candidacy for the Senate in 2016.13

To play an active role in issues that concern you, you also will need to speak out. The health of a democratic, self-governing society depends on civic engagement, or active public participation in political affairs and social and community organizations. Public speaking skills facilitate civic engagement. College students who actively participate in public discussion or political activities are more likely to be confident in their ability to make a difference in their communities.14

Throughout life, you may also be asked to speak in less formal situations—for example, by offering a wedding toast or presenting an award to a friend or colleague who is retiring. In each of these cases, the skills you learn in a public speaking class will help ensure that others hear and respect your views.