Congratulations to all students on completing another semester!  The spring may not have been without its challenges, but students can now look forward to their summer plans, and graduates can celebrate their achievements while preparing for a memorable transition to the workplace.  We thought now would be the perfect time to reflect on the spring semester.  RCBC Communication Consultants each wrote a response to the following questions:

• • What were some highlights and challenges of this semester?
  • What can you look forward to in the summer and/or fall?

Julia Mancuso (Finance, ’24)

Spring 2022 semester led to new highlights and challenges throughout the last few months. As the warm weather emerged and the mask mandate disappeared, it felt great to be back in the classroom and be with my peers. Additionally, taking more business core classes this semester led to new interests in addition to a challenging academic schedule that certainly tested my endurance. As a Finance major and Psychology minor, I was academically engaged taking a wide variety of classes for my interests.

This semester, I was able to assist in the implementation of the Women in Business conference in person, which was a true feat! It was rewarding to plan the conference in addition to attending the event as well. I had the opportunity to network with Lehigh professionals and women in business who spoke about their experiences in the ever-changing business world. I look forward to the Fall 2022 semester and am excited by the endless possibilities and opportunities that the future holds!

Grace Kwon (Finance, ’23)

One of the main highlights of this spring semester was definitely the warm weather. After months of cold and dark weather, it was really nice to see the sun these past couple of weeks. Also, due to the pandemic, I (along with many other juniors) have not experienced a full spring semester on campus, so now that I have almost experienced a full semester, I really enjoyed it and really liked seeing all the flowers bloom on campus.

Also, another highlight related to my academics is learning more about the finance field through my finance classes. Compared to last semester, I feel like I have definitely obtained more financial knowledge and learned more about topics that I was always interested in knowing more about. Although these courses were one of my highlights, classes, in general, were also one of my biggest challenges this semester. Due to my desire to perform well in all my classes, I found myself being stressed out and overwhelmed at times. However, I do think I have learned to better manage my stress and time during this semester.

For the next fall semester, I am most looking forward to being a senior! It feels like yesterday that I was a freshman in college, so becoming a senior is exciting, yet nerve-racking. I am also looking forward to creating more memories with my friends next semester, and having fun before we all graduate in the spring!

Xinyi Cui (Accounting and BIS, ’22)

As a senior, I never expected to have so many events this semester, and to be honest, life after the pandemic has become much more colorful. At first, it was really an honor to have a big dinner with the Accounting professors and other Accounting students who share similar experiences at Lehigh. Also it’s great to try different mental health programs like plant therapy and the new Headspace app. Most importantly, graduation is coming and should be the most memorable part of my 2022 Spring!

Beyond graduation, I really look forward to a trip to Germany this summer to explore a different country and culture, as well as practice my language skills. It was hard to imagine that I would be able to extend my studies post-graduation in Germany, but now I’m really savoring this awesome opportunity! Meanwhile, since I’m graduating from Lehigh in May, I am starting a new chapter in the fall, and face a big change in my identity – from student to employee – which is both exciting and nerve-racking. Overall, I just want to say best wishes to all 2022 graduates!

Many thanks for a great spring semester to our readers and those who visited our center!  Feel free to share your own reflections in the comments below.

Get information and resources about our center at The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication.

By Communication Consultant Julia Mancuso (Finance, ’24)

You may have heard the advice that, when one is working to help an individual, it is important to “Get on their level.” One important strategy for getting on the same level is to sit next to one another, elbow-to-elbow, a strategy we use in the Rauch Center. When one is directly on the level of those who they are assisting, in both a literal and figurative sense, studies show a higher success rate. In Maximize The Impact of Seating Formations, research has shown that the location of where you are seated compared to that of your counterpart can enhance collaboration. Sitting next to one another in a corner-like position decreases “territorial division” and increases a sense of cooperation among both individuals.

The psychological perspective of getting on the same level can play a role in emotional or academic support. At the Rauch Center for Business Communication, student tutors are ready and available to assist students in business core classes. Through a multifaceted approach, RCBC tutors help with assignments ranging from professional emails to end-of-semester papers. As a team, we focus on both the assignment as a whole and the specific editing strategies we can teach students. With an individualized approach on the same level with our users, RCBC tutors provide guidance and a learning experience that improves students’ writing.

A tutor sitting next to the individual whom they are assisting is associated with a greater learning experience. At a rounded table in the RCBC, students are encouraged to ask questions and learn new writing strategies. Whether it be through a dynamic conversation or collaborative editing, RCBC tutors provide assistance to students every step of the way.     

Join us at the Rauch Center for Business Communication for in-person or virtual help today! Find us on the third floor of the Rauch Building. For more information regarding our services and hours of operation, follow this link:
https://business.lehigh.edu/centers/philip-rauch-center-for-business-communication!

Get information and resources about our center at The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication.

Parts of this article were adapted from the following sources:

https://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/book_of_body_language/chap17.html

https://www.csteachingtips.org/tip/get-eye-level-when-working-students-who-are-working-their-seats-rather-standing-above-them

By Communication Consultant Grace Kwon (Finance, ’23)

Xinyi Cui: Xinyi Cui is one of the current communication consultants at the Rauch Center for Business Communications who has been working at the center for three years now. As a new communication consultant, I had the opportunity to interview her and gain a better insight into how communication consultants serve Lehigh’s College of Business undergraduates. Here is what she had to say: 

(The interview has been slightly edited for brevity and clarity.)

1. First, to start off the interview, I want to ask you: what made you want to work as a communication consultant?

The Rauch Business Center for Communications was actually just starting to offer the consultants program, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to apply for this communication consultant position that they were offering. I thought that this job would be the perfect opportunity for me to offer my new, innovative ideas. Also, business communications, in general, is a huge deal, so as a business student, I wanted to contribute my efforts and help other students. After working here at the center for three years now, I believe that I have made a lot of contributions, one being writing blog articles, which are great resources for business students! I also just finished an internship as a marketing research intern that was heavily related to business communications, so I do think that this internship demonstrates how I’ve personally benefited from the role. 

2. When you began working this job, what did you expect to get out of it? 

In the beginning, I honestly did not have any expectations since the center was quite new. At first, I thought it was similar to the writing centers here on campus, but later on, after working this job, I have realized that it is quite different. Along with this, I expected to be able to apply my leadership skills to this job, whether this be thinking of new ideas for projects, executing these projects, etc.

3. How do you think communication consultants at RCBC have helped students? 

First, we help a lot of first-year business students with their assignments/projects for their introductory business courses (e.g. BUS 001, BUS 003). While working here, I have realized that one of the challenges the freshman and sophomores have is not knowing what the audience is exactly looking for. Communication consultants are able to help students better understand what the audience exactly wants. Also, since we (the consultants) have more experience with writing, presentations, etc., we can help the freshmen and sophomores with the knowledge that we have accumulated over the years. 

4. How have you changed as a communication consultant from year 1 to year 3?

In year 1, I did not have a lot of experience with tutoring, so I was super nervous about becoming a tutor/peer advisor for other students. English is not my native language, so I was honestly not confident that I could effectively help others. However, now in year 3, after assisting students with their writing, I believe that I have helped them more than I expected I could. More specifically, I think I am best at helping students structure their essays in an organized manner and guiding them on how to thoroughly answer all the questions in the prompt. Overall, I am definitely more confident now than I was in year 1.

5. What has been your favorite part of working at RCBC?

My favorite part of working here has been bringing in new project ideas and making these ideas into a reality. The coordinator and director here at the Center have assisted me with bringing these ideas into life/something tangible. Also, another favorite part is talking with other business students; I especially enjoy talking and interacting with the students who frequently visit the center.

6. What has been your favorite project thus far?

My favorite project has been creating the visualization guides. In these guides, we have written about topics such as how to make a PowerPoint. Before writing about this topic, I had to research beforehand, and by researching, I have learned, myself, what a “good” PowerPoint entails. By writing about this topic and providing it as a resource for others, I have noticed that I am not only helping others, but also helping myself. 

7. Have you faced any challenges working this job, and how did you overcome these challenges?

A challenge that I am currently facing is regarding the current project about the “Job Keywords Dictionary.” Since I have never learned the coding language that is required for this project, it has been a challenging task. Although I am not completely finished with this project, I have been trying my best. Additionally, a general challenge working as a consultant is that different students have their own different issues regarding their assignments. For me, I have an idea in my mind of what a “perfect” essay looks like; however, some students who come in for consultations do not have the same idea as I do. To overcome this challenge, I have made an effort to understand the students’ ideas and assist them as much as possible. 

8. What have you specifically learned from doing this job for the past three years?

From doing this job, I have learned the importance of storytelling. This may be a cultural difference, but in Mandarin, when you write an analysis, it is more focused on having a core idea and writing about different perspectives–these ideas don’t necessarily have to be connected with each other. However, in English, you have to connect each argument in each paragraph, so I have realized the importance of making sure all these ideas connect for the sake of storytelling.

Get information and resources about our center at The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication.

By Communication Consultant Carolyn Reagan (Undeclared, ’23)

After scheduling your appointment at RCBC through our website, you may be wondering how to best prepare. The following article will give you an idea of what to expect during your appointment.

Because of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, all appointments are being conducted online through Zoom. However, prior to the pandemic, we offered in-person appointments on the third floor of the Rauch Business Center. We hope to resume in-person operations as soon as it is safe. In the meantime, Zoom proves to be an incredibly helpful tool. Below are some steps to consider prior to your appointment:

1. Following scheduling your appointment, you will receive your corresponding Zoom link through email. We recommend that you leave a short description of what you want to work on during your appointment (eg. course, assignment) and then log on about 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You may wait a short time in the waiting room, especially if another student’s appointment is ending.
2. Be sure to come prepared with all necessary material for a productive appointment. Have ready your current draft, the assignment prompt, and any applicable rubrics or materials provided by your professor. Oftentimes, we may be familiar with your assignment, especially because we generally see repeating assignments or we might have taken the same class during our time at Lehigh!
3. Consider emailing (inrcbc@lehigh.edu) your draft and assignment ahead of your appointment; this way, we are able to fully familiarize ourselves with your work and the nature of the assignment’s requirements and instructions.

During the actual appointment, it is our priority that you feel as comfortable as possible. We hope that you are as open as possible about how you currently feel about your assignment, and what we can do to help you. Be sure to let us know what part of the assignment you want to focus on. We can work on grammar, organization, content, and more! During the meeting, we are very flexible! Sometimes our meetings involve using the “Shared screen” option on Zoom, other times they include practice presentations, or just a simple questions and answers session! Most frequently, we utilize Google Drive (Google Docs, Slides, etc.) to engage in a meaningful discussion about sentence structure, organization, word choice, and assignment requirements.

Though we primarily work on written and academic assignments, we have also helped students with their resumes, Pecha Kucha presentations, and interview skills! Because the Communication Consultants represent a range of majors and school years, we typically have the training and experience to support any kind of communication related assignment.

Following your consultation, we will send you a completely anonymous survey to provide feedback on your experience with RCBC; there, we encourage you to share your experience with our center so that we can continue to improve our offerings. It is also worth noting that if you are unable to book a Zoom consultation due to scheduling conflicts, we are able to provide feedback over email. Simply send us your draft, assignment, and rubric to our address (inrcbc@lehigh.edu). In the email, let us know what help you need, and we will respond with detailed feedback, usually in under 24 hours during the week (longer for papers submitted during the weekends and holidays). If you have any other questions before your appointment, feel free to email us. We hope to be a helpful resource to you during your time at Lehigh!

Get information and resources about our center at The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication.

By Communication Consultant Xinyi Cui (Accounting and BIS, ’22)

Empathy—“the ability to understand and share the feelings of another”—plays an integral role in the communication process. Empathy applies to communication because it can be a powerful tool in moving and inspiring the people around us. To have empathy in communication, we have to stand in our audience’s shoes to understand their needs and emotions. However, doing so can be difficult because we have to understand our own emotions in the first place, which might require us to face strong feelings such as pain, pressure, and loneliness. When we are trying to communicate in a stressful or high-stakes setting, such as creating a report for a class or providing analysis and recommendations in a professional setting, our own emotions sometimes make it difficult to understand the perspectives of the people with whom we are trying to communicate. That’s why it is important to share your work in progress with someone you trust before you turn it in.

As staff members in the Rauch Center for Business Communication, our responsibility is to take on the student perspective and guide students to go through the communication process. We do our best to understand the needs and feelings of those who ask for help, especially because everyone has such unique life experiences. However, by being truthful and listening, we can build a strong connection. To better develop the relationship between the consultants and advisees, we make sure to offer praise, statements of encouragement, and expressions of concern with the aim to reinforce the student’s feeling of ownership and control.

Furthermore, because we are also students, we can better understand the needs of our clients, as many of them reflect our own. However, it is important to balance between these two identities when we do our jobs. As emotional laborers, we are learning more every day through direct experience and practice. At RCBC, we are committed to maintaining a communication center that places empathy at the core of our work.

Get information and resources about our center at The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication.

By Communication Consultant Carolyn Simmet (Management and Supply Chain Management, ’21)

Social identities largely impact our literacy. The way we write, read, and comprehend are all uniquely dependent on our cultural backgrounds and identities. Our style and voice is shaped by our personalities and impacts our grammatical and rhetorical choices. To acknowledge these differences based on social identities is one thing, but to understand and use our differences as an advantage in writing is another.

Adam Daut, a graduate student at Arizona State University, explores how social identities play a key role in our writing. He presents a variety of methods to help writers and tutors incorporate our selves into our writing and other linguistic work at the National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing. Two of these methods include creating a social identity map and writing our own literacy narratives.

Social Identity Map

One way we can ensure we are using our differences in our writing is by creating a social identity map. You can do this by making a big circle around your first and last name on a sheet of paper. Then, you start drawing lines outside of the big circle to smaller circles with descriptive characteristics written inside. These characteristics could include: religion, education, gender, socioeconomic status, class, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and so on. From there, you can continue to draw lines outward to elaborate on the labeled identities. For example, you can draw a line from religion to explain your beliefs, or from gender to preferred pronouns, or from education to the different places studied and the degrees received. You can talk with a peer or a tutor about how your writing reflects your identities; the insights you gain will help you develop your voice and communicate more authentically.

Literacy Narratives

Another way we can express ourselves through our writing is by creating our own literacy narratives. To write a literacy narrative, write about your experiences with reading, writing, and communicating. When did you learn to read and write? What important lessons have you learned about literacy? How do you use literacy and communication? Writing our own literacy narratives allows us to create relationships through our writing and self reflection. Sharing literacy narratives with fellow writers or a tutor can lead to group discussion and personal development. Literacy narratives help us understand what directly impacts our thoughts and writing, which helps us learn what we do and do not like. 

At the RCBC, we can best help with writing when we take the time to understand you as an individual. We can do this by getting to know our students prior to jumping into work. We can also do this by looking at our unique names or creating a social identity map for ourselves and our students. We prioritize providing unique guidance to each individual that utilizes our services. Rather than providing the same suggestions and advice to each student, we ensure each student’s writing style is emphasized. After all, the ways we write are unique and impacted by our social identities.

Get information and resources about our center at The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication.

By Communication Consultant Lili Tang (Accounting and BIS, ’22)

As a business student at Lehigh, have you ever wondered where to go when you are concerned about your papers, projects and presentations; or when you are worried about your cover letters, resume, and other questions? Well, the RCBC is open to every business student, and our consultants are here to help you address those concerns.

If you don’t know much about us, the RCBC, The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication, provides curricular and co-curricular support to Lehigh business undergraduates.

Typically, during our normal consultation hours, you are welcome to come to our center for any concerns you have, whether or not they are about your courses. We will talk about the questions and work on them together. As one of the consultants, I will provide feedback and suggestions and answer any follow up questions you may have. However, if coming to the center is not convenient for you during normal hours, you may also email us.

Due to current COVID-19, we are also prepared to support your online learning experiences! You could easily schedule a Zoom appointment with one of our consultants during consultation hours, or simply email us about your questions!

No matter how far we are, the RCBC is always here for you.

Get information and resources about our center at The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication.