Media Training for Real-World Success
I introduced a media training lecture into my curriculum to help students gain confidence with impromptu interviews and on-camera communication. The session not only prepared them for media interactions but also equipped them with transferable skills, like thinking on their feet and answering under pressure. These skills can be applied in job interviews and everyday professional conversations.
A modified version of this lecture is used when I coach executives. Adapted to leadership and corporate contexts, it continues to emphasize clear messaging, composure under pressure, and confident delivery. All skills that have been proven to be invaluable at every level.
Teaching Students to Think on Their Feet
Building confidence in media and public speaking
Challenge
As video and digital media rapidly gain traction as communication channels, students need to develop not only strong public speaking skills but also the ability to handle media interactions. Many students, however, enter higher education with little to no experience in public speaking—and even less exposure to media training. This gap left them underprepared for situations ranging from classroom presentations to job interviews and professional networking opportunities.
Approach
To close this gap, I designed and delivered a media training lecture as part of my curriculum to both my undergraduate and graduate students. The session introduced students to the role of journalists and the dynamics of media communication, then provided practical training to help them navigate impromptu interviews. I incorporated exercises that simulated real-world scenarios, giving students hands-on practice in answering unexpected questions under pressure.
Impact
Students gained a new level of confidence in handling spontaneous conversations, whether with peers, professors, or potential employers. Beyond media readiness, the training built transferable skills, such as thinking on one’s feet, structuring clear responses, and managing nerves. These skills can be directly applied to job interviews, workplace communication, and public speaking engagements.
Students shared how much value they found in practicing these skills in a safe, supportive setting. The business simulation gave them space to face their fears, make mistakes, and try again without the high stakes pressure of real-life interviews or presentations. It was fun, energizing, and even a little messy: we laughed, did multiple retakes, and supported each other along the way. In fact, our blooper reel could probably rival the outtakes of the last Marvel Avengers movie.
Excerpts
The lecture is delivered through a 67-slide PowerPoint deck followed by a 45-minute business simulation. (My classes are 3-hours long.) Below are selected excerpts that highlight the key messaging and content, giving a sense of how the full lecture equips students with practical skills and real-world confidence.
Note
This media training example is here to give you a sense of how I think and approach my work. I appreciate you respecting the time and thought behind it by not copying, sharing, or reusing it without my written permission.