3 Things I Learned Giving Presentations
Throughout my internship, I’ve presented to many different crowds: from my fellow interns, to a large room of seniors at a health fair, to a small group of adults with diabetes. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way:
1) Microphones Are Your Friends
After my first presentation, my preceptor told me I talked too softly. During my second presentation, I was determined to talk loudly enough: but the room was large and someone in the back was loud. Now, if there’s a microphone available, I use it. Microphones are your friends.
2) Know Your Audience
“What’s the difference between sugar and sugar alcohol?” I was asked during an outpatient diabetes class. I launched into the differences in chemical structure, and everyone’s eyes immediately glazed over. If I could answer that question again I would stick to the relevant information for that audience: the differences in how sugar and sugar alcohols affect blood glucose. The experience taught me it’s important to know your audience.
Throughout my internship, I’ve presented to many different crowds: from my fellow interns, to a large room of seniors at a health fair, to a small group of adults with diabetes. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way:
1) Microphones Are Your Friends
After my first presentation, my preceptor told me I talked too softly. During my second presentation, I was determined to talk loudly enough: but the room was large and someone in the back was loud. Now, if there’s a microphone available, I use it. Microphones are your friends.
2) Know Your Audience
“What’s the difference between sugar and sugar alcohol?” I was asked during an outpatient diabetes class. I launched into the differences in chemical structure, and everyone’s eyes immediately glazed over. If I could answer that question again I would stick to the relevant information for that audience: the differences in how sugar and sugar alcohols affect blood glucose. The experience taught me it’s important to know your audience.
| 3) There’s Always Something Else to Learn For me, learning presentation skills has been all about making mistakes, and I’ve made plenty. Instead of getting bogged down by what I’ve done wrong, I thought about what I could do better, elicited feedback from my preceptors, and came up with concrete suggestions for myself. I’ve been able to grow my presenting skills, but there’s always something else to learn! |  |
