Business Communication

Development of written, visual, oral and collaborative skills for the workplace (business, government, non-profit organizations), with a focus on design, development, and re-purposing of hardcopy and new media documents. A final portfolio will include examples of a variety of professional genres―such as letters, e-mails, status reports, proposals, news releases, feasibility reports, policies and procedures, brochures―presented in both print and digital form.

Which students might want to enroll in this track?

  • Those interested in refining workplace communication—especially in business, governmental, and non-profit organizations. Students will work collaboratively with community organizations on client projects.
  • Those interested in entrepreneurial and managerial work, who need to enhance leadership and communication skills, and students who plan for graduate MBA or law school degrees.

What do we do in the business communication courses?

The capstone courses (Writing 157A, 157B) and internship (Writing 150) in this track seek to assist students with the important transition from school to work. We build on the academic skills gained throughout students’ undergraduate studies and the applied, professional skills gained through our client work, internship, and other work experiences.

By using case studies, we expand students’ understanding of workplace issues, especially in the areas of business ethics, and crisis management. By working collaboratively on service-learning projects for community clients, students will refine skills and contribute to our local community before graduation.

Where will students get internships?

  • Local businesses, including public relations firms, publishing, and accounting organizations such as Yardi Systems, DAVIES Communication, The Independent, UCSB Accounting Controls, Citrix Online
  • Local environmental businesses and organizations, including Green Business Program for Santa Barbara County, Tetra Tech, Allen Associates, Kids in Nature, The Center for Urban Agriculture
  • Local government and non-profit organizations, including the City of Santa Barbara, United Way, Direct Relief, UCSB Sustainability, Creative Wealth International

Which courses are recommended?

  • WRIT 107B: Business & Administrative Writing
  • WRIT 107A: Writing for Accounting
  • WRIT 107T: Technical Writing
  • WRIT 107G: Writing for Global Careers
  • WRIT 107EP: Writing for Environmental Professions
  • WRIT 105PS: Writing for Public Speaking
  • WRIT 107P: Writing for Public Relations
  • WRIT 105M: Multimedia Writing
  • WRIT 105S: Writing About Sustainability
  • WRIT 105G: Grammar and Stylistics

Who are the directors of this track?

Gina L. Genova and Brian C. Ernst serve as Co-Directors. Professor Genova teaches Writing 157A and supervises the Writing 150 Internships, while Dr. Ernst teaches Writing 157B.

Professor Genova also teaches professional writing (business, legal, public speaking) in the Writing Program. Until her retirement in 2015, Ms. Genova maintained a 20+ year civil litigation practice specializing in business disputes, bankruptcy and personal injury law. Her research interests range from the function and process of collaborative work in business spaces to the intersection, interference, and imposition of laws on the workplace environment.

Dr. Ernst also teaches Writing 1, 2, 105CD, 105R, and 107B. His research interests include rhetorical code studies and narrative design in interactive media. He is also an editor for Starting Lines, a contributor to the CCCC Wikipedia Initiative, a mentor in the Raab Writing Fellows Program, and Faculty Liaison with the SASC Undergraduate Advisor. Dr. Ernst completed his Ph.D. in Modern European History in 2014 and served as the Undergraduate Advisor for the Department of English before returning to the Writing Program as a faculty member in 2018.