Develop public speaking skills
To be a leader—in both work and life—you have to be an effective communicator. And storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for connecting with and inspiring others. Story Lab is designed to teach you to craft and deliver compelling stories that will help you stand out among your peers and in the eyes of recruiters and potential employers.
How Story Lab works
- A daylong storytelling workshop kicks the program off—helping you develop story skills as well as executive presence (confident vocals and body language) and leadership skills (charisma, authenticity) through immersive activities.
- Ongoing peer coaching throughout the semester helps you collaborate and mentor each other in a safe, supportive environment.
- Story Lab ends with a showcase featuring student stories. The event will be held at the MERGE innovation hub in downtown Iowa City and would include members of the local business community providing you with networking opportunities.
- Stories from the showcase will be professionally recorded giving you a polished video to add to your resume.
Other cool stuff you get—Materials including the book How to Tell a Story by The Moth, meals and refreshments at Story Lab workshops and events, professionally produced videos, and more. Learn more about the Story Lab experience.
Events
Story Lab Workshop #1
Story Lab Workshop #2
Story Lab Workshop #3
Story Lab Showcase
Student resources
- Story Starters PDF (story planning tool from the workshop)
- Story Sketch PDF (story planning tool from the workshop)
- Story Notes PDF (story feedback form from the workshop)
- Story Resources PDF (contact info and reading list)
“I think my stories can motivate people to get to where they want to be. They can also show who I am and why I think the way I do.”
Kickoff workshop
Open to all Tippie students
Story Lab begins each semester with a workshop where you'll learn storytelling, executive presence, leadership skills, and more! From there, you’ll continue working with a peer mentor, coaching each other and shaping your stories for a showcase at the end of the semester. The next Story Lab workshop will be Fall 2023.
Questions? Contact Nick Westergaard at nick-westergaard@uiowa.edu.
The Story Lab experience
Through a series of immersive experiences from the kickoff to the showcase, you'll develop storytelling and leadership skills.
"It’s really important for leaders to gain the credibility of those that they’re leading. Storytelling about oneself is a way for people to gain credibility .... It’s a real strategic advantage for the students .... One thing that I’m hearing in terms of reactions from students is the experience of having a new network and cohort of people they now have a deeper connection with because they’ve each told their stories"
Contact us
Nick Westergaard
Faculty Director, Story Lab
319-325-0921
nick-westergaard@uiowa.edu