30 Aug 2024

Elevator Speech

by | posted in: Content, WRCT 200 | 0

The purpose of this exercise is for you to practice talking about an artifact and what it represents about what you have learned or are capable of.

  • Choose one of the scenarios provided to you.
  • Take some notes on how you would respond to the question posed in that scenario.
  • Practice in your head (or in the hall!) actually responding to the person, using the notes you wrote, and keeping your response between 30 – 45 seconds.
  • Sit across from your first partner. When the bell rings, one of you should give your elevator speech. When the bell rings again, whoever is speaking should stop speaking. Repeat the process with the other partner.
  • When both of you are done speaking, take a sticky note and write one thing you notice about what makes a successful elevator speech.
  • Move to your next partner and repeat the process!

Scenario 1: You are in the elevator in North College and meet a member of the Board of Trustees. She says, “Tell me about yourself.

Scenario 2: You’re at an internship interview, and the interviewer asks, “Can you tell me a bit about your background and what you’re passionate about?”

Scenario 3: You’re on a train heading back to campus after a networking event, and the person next to you turns out to be a Wesleyan alum. They ask, “What are you involved in at Wesleyan?”

Scenario 4: You’re in the waiting room for an appointment, and the person next to you casually asks, “What do you do?”