In January of 1999, the Careers Department of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel conducted a survey of 44 large and small companies in Wisconsin. Executives and Human Resource Managers were asked to rank seven skills when deciding whom to hire:

• Education
• Work Experience
• Technical Skills
• Communication
• Impressive References
• Interview Appearance
• Enthusiasm/Desire

How do you think employers ranked these skills? Before reading further, take a moment to rank them in order of importance.

If you rated Communication as the number one required skill, move to the head of the job line. According to those surveyed, the seven skills were ranked in this order: Communication, Work Experience, Technical Skills, Enthusiasm/Desire, Education, Interview Appearance, Impressive References. The value of Communication emphasized in this list is reinforced by a 1995 Associated Press survey of 402 U.S. companies that ranked writing as "the most valued skill of employees" (qtd. in Kolin 1). From these two surveys, you can see just how important a course like Business Communications can be to your career.

In this course, students will read about and practice the kinds of writing that will help them to get their foot in the door and succeed in their professional life. For instance, students will learn how to prepare resumes and cover letters that gain attention and respect; how to compose complaint letters that get satisfaction-quickly; how to propose ideas and plans that receive approval; and how to submit reports that impress. In addition, students will have the chance to refine their skills in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and research-crucial skills that employers absolutely demand. What makes working on these and other writing skills so exciting is that students will have the opportunity to work together with their peers on these projects in a virtual classroom.