1. Tim Balz Communication Philosophy
I strive tocommunicate ina way thatfirstdraws myaudience inandanswersthe internal “whydoI
care” questionforthem.Once Isee that the audience ispersonallyinvestedinmytopic,Ifocuson
educatingthe audience withthe goal of makingthemfeelliketheyhave gainedaworkingknowledge of
the topic. Finally,Iguide themtothe pointwhere theyaskthemselves“how canI help”. Manyof my
past experienceswere made possible byhavinganideaandgettingpeople tobuyintomyvisionand
passion.
Throughmy internshipsandpersonal entrepreneurial experiences,Ihave leveragedanddevelopedmy
abilitytocommunicate verbally.Myverbal communicationskillshave allowedme topursue many
opportunitiessuchasmy internshipatIntel.Aftergiving apresentationatthe ECIA Executive
Conference inChicago,Iwasapproachedbyan Intel executive whowasreallyinterestedinmyworkand
requestedmyresume be giventohimonstage (he wasa keynote speakeraswell).The resume was
latersnatchedbyanotherspeakerwhowantedtointerview me,soIsenta handwrittennote andcopy
of myresume tothe Intel Executive.
Foundingandmaintaininganon-profitasa teenagerenabledme todevelopbothmyverbal andwritten
communication.Inordertoconvince people tojoinmycause,Idevelopedmywrittencommunication
skillsbystrivingtowrite ina waythat preventedpeoplefromrealizingmyage.Inpersonthough,Idid
not change howI communicatedotherthanthe obviousdifferencesbasedonthe age andtechnical
experience of myaudience.Thisdynamicchange incommunicationhasprovedtobe helpful byallowing
me to gain the parents’trustfor the kidsI am tryingto help,butalsoallowedme torelate tothe kids
since I wasn’tintimidatingasadoctor can be.
My communicationphilosophyhasprimarilybeenshapedthroughpersonalexperiences,andthis
createsa learningopportunitythatarecentexpertinterview hasprovidedme.Throughanexpert
interview withDr.Bernal aboutherpersonal communicationexperience atBoeing,Ihave learnedthe
necessityof tailoringmycommunicationtomyaudience.She gave examplesof how internal
communicationwithinacompanyputsjustyour reputationonthe line where externalcommunication
putsthe company’sreputationatstake.Inow recognize the risksthatan engineeristakingwhen
communicatingexternallywhetheritbe a salesrep,or the media.
I feel verystronglyaboutkeepingverbalcommunicationpersonal,andIrecognize how Imustbe careful
aboutthisin the workforce.Iwill strive tobetterunderstandmyaudience,payingspecial focustothe
technical experience whencommunicatingwithothersinaprofessional environment.Inthe future,I

2. Tim Balz Communication Philosophy
will developmycommunicationskillsasanengineerthroughpersonal experiencesandinteractionswith
expertssuchas Dr. Bernal.Reflectingonmypasthas renewedmyexcitementaslookforwardtoa well-
focusedandcommunicatedengineeringcareer.