The Art of Preparation

December 8, 2011: The Art of Preparation

Attorney Doleva-Lecher, seated, center, with the Mid-Term Start Students at Berks Technical Institute

The term “social responsibility” is emerging more and more throughout American society to mean a public awareness that businesses have obligations beyond just making a profit. Whether by supporting volunteerism, the arts, or the environment, those who recognize the opportunity to invest in the future of our community are the ones who move society forward. One often overlooked but equally productive form of social responsibility is to establish a positive presence in the community by educating our leaders of tomorrow.  A practicing attorney for better than 10 years, Kristen Doleva-Lecher, Esq. of Wolf, Baldwin, Associates, P.C. visited the Berks Technical Institute on Wednesday evening to speak to the mid-term Oral Communication students about how public speaking correlates with her daily job responsibilities both in the courtroom and out. Her own speech was both informative and dynamic, inspiring the paralegal majors while showcasing an entrepreneurial presence for the business and criminal justice majors. Even the medical and dental students agreed that her strategies for success in her career were both motivating and encouraging. Attorney Doleva’s message was loud and clear…that preparedness is the key to presenting an effective and confident presentation in any setting. Students recognized the value in her own preparation as she effortlessly connected the objectives of the public speaking class to the larger society.

When prompted with questions about the job market in her field, Ms. Doleva indicated that while the economy is still in a transitional stage, career paths exist in an array of settings, both transactional and litigation. The litigators, she conveyed, are the public speakers, whether it is in the courtroom, in a political arena, or in simple interaction with clients. “The communication skills necessary to exceed in any profession include oral, written, and digital proficiencies” she said, which credibly reinforced the overall learning objectives of the Oral Communication class. The students learned that these interpersonal communication skills, in addition to public speaking skills, are a valuable piece of professional real estate. “When speaking in public, whether you are a professional with many years of experience or a student giving your first speech in a classroom setting, everyone is nervous.” Preparation, she stressed, is the key to being confident.

Collaboration with area professionals remains a critical part of the culture at Berks Technical Institute.  This visibility and dialogue with leading role models in our community such as Attorney Doleva, helps demonstrate to our students that with dedication, ingenuity, and preparedness, they too are capable of becoming proficient communicators…the leaders of tomorrow.

Berks Technical Institute is a 2-year, accredited, Associate’s Degree granting College, similar to a community college. For more information, click here.

2012 Blog Topics:

2011 Blog Topics:

Kate Murray is a web & graphic designer, creator of Vogue Media & Managing Partner of Triumph Virtual Media, an e-marketing strategy firm in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Her dynamic style is influenced mostly by her family, but also by her travels, 10+ years in the corporate financial services industry, and by her ability to genuinely connect with people. Kate has the unique ability to introduce aesthetically pleasing design alongside innovative programing to create a user interface that is both beautiful and functional. She received her Master's of Business Administration in 2003 and her Bachelor of Science in Communication in 1996.