The Skill STEM Forgets
I'd hire the engineer with the lower GPA.
Picture two engineers. Engineer A has a 3.9 GPA. Engineer B has a 3.4 — but communicates far better, and the gap is obvious. I'd hire Engineer B, and I'd bet on them having the more successful career.
This has been on my mind since yesterday, when I took my first theater class. We did a lot of improvisation exercises, and it was a really interesting dynamic — and a reminder of how much I still have to gain in this area.
Why it matters
Communication is one of those skills that, once you level it up, affects your whole life. Your work, your dating life, your friendships, your family — all of it runs through how well you communicate.
It sounds obvious. But in STEM, we tend to overlook it. We focus almost entirely on absorbing knowledge, and almost never on learning how to express it.
How to train it
A few ways to start:
- Take theater classes. Improvisation forces you to think and speak on your feet.
- Talk to strangers. Every conversation is practice.
- Work on your voice. A speech therapist or voice coach can help with clarity, projection, and pace.
- Practice public speaking. Presenting, debating, even recording yourself — anything that makes you speak with intention.
Would you hire Engineer A or Engineer B?