Course Description
Most people spend their entire lives communicating — and very few of them were ever actually taught how.
WHO, ME? changes that. This six-week online course gives young adults the practical communication skills that employers keep asking for — and no one ever sat down to teach. You’ll learn how to handle hard conversations with a clear framework. You’ll write professional messages that actually get results. You’ll understand what your digital presence is already saying about you. And you’ll set boundaries that protect your time and energy without damaging the relationships that matter.
This is not a lecture series. Every week includes an interactive game, a real-world writing challenge, and content you can apply the same day you learn it. By Week 6 you’ll pull every skill together in a final challenge that simulates your first week on the job.
Six weeks. Real skills. No filler.
Rationale/Needs Assessment: Research consistently shows that communication is the number one skill employers say new hires are missing — ranking above technical ability, experience, and education level. At the same time, communication skills are among the least likely to be explicitly taught in secondary or post-secondary education.
Young adults are entering work, higher education, and adult relationships without a practical framework for handling difficult conversations, managing their professional reputation online, or setting limits that protect their time and wellbeing.
- Purpose: This six-week course addresses this gap by giving young adults a structured, practical set of communication tools they can apply immediately — in the workplace, in academic settings, and in their personal lives.
- Anticipated Impact: Students will demonstrate measurable growth across six core communication competencies, verified through pre and post-course assessments. Successful completion earns a Certificate of Completion and prepares students to continue in the BYL Academy series.
These outcomes directly address the communication competency gap identified by employers and align with Texas TEKS standards in English Language Arts and Career and Technical Education.
