CONTEXT
From my small group communications class at Santa Monica College, I gained experience excelling in group communication and interaction. We honed our listening, speaking, and emotional intelligence skills through a unique project: securing 8 hours of volunteer work from a non-profit organization.

CHALLENGE
Reaching consensus within our team on which organization to help, coordinating schedules, and figuring out logistics like transportation.

OUTCOME
We navigated different preferences, learned to express ourselves effectively, and managed any tensions that arose – all crucial lessons in collaborative communication.

Habitat for Humanity

My team and I effectively communicated and worked together to help Habitat for Humanity achieve its goals. We made a tangible contribution to Habitat for Humanity's mission: Our volunteer work contributed towards building and renovating homes for families in need. We developed our communication skills: The project provided a valuable real-world application of communication theory, improving our listening, speaking, and conflict-resolution skills. The experience fostered a sense of unity and collaboration within the team, demonstrating the power of effective communication in achieving shared goals.

FOLLOW UP THANK YOU

After volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, I used Microsoft Word to write a follow-up thank you letter to the On-site Supervisor, Baily Franco.
I expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Habitat for Humanity’s mission, and I also reflected on how observing the site manager's leadership skills enhanced my communication abilities.